Opposition spreading lies and pessimism, says Modi

Modi in Rajgarh Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Governor Anandiben Patel at the inauguration of the Mohanpura Irrigation Project in Rajgarh | PTI

In a veiled attack on the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said it was spreading "lies, confusion and pessimism", whereas his government was working for the welfare of people.

Addressing a public meeting after launching the Mohanpura Irrigation Project in Rajgarh district of Madhya Pradesh, Modi said, "People trust the BJP and its government. Those spreading lies, confusion and pessimism are cut off from the ground reality."

Modi paid tributes to Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee and said it was Mokerjee's vision to strengthen education, health, finance, and security.

"His [Mookerjee's] vision was to impart skills to the youth and give them opportunity, so that they become capable of serving the country. Programmes like Startup India and Make in India are a reflection of his ideas," Modi said.

"It was unfortunate that to glorify one family, deliberate attempts were made to belittle the contributions of other towering personalities in the country," Modi said.

Targeting the Congress, Modi said the party, which ruled the country for maximum years, never trusted the people and their hard work.

"They did not trust the strength of the country. In the last four years, we never spoke of frustration and dismay. We are the ones who are marching ahead with confidence," he said.

Modi said in the last four years at the Centre and 15 years in Madhya Pradesh, the BJP had worked for the uplift and empowerment of the poor, farmers and deprived sections of society.

Modi said when the Congress ruled the state, Madhya Pradesh was called a BIMARU state.

"The Congress never saw this as an insult to the people of the state. The BJP had worked hard to remove this tag," Modi added.