Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary, lambasted Modi’s track record in Varanasi, juxtaposing the lavish spending on the Ganga’s cleanup against the dismal results witnessed….reports Asian Lite News
In a scathing critique, the Congress has directed a barrage of questions at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, querying his abandonment of the Varanasi villages he once adopted and the escalating pollution levels in the Ganga despite substantial government expenditure. Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary, lambasted Modi’s track record in Varanasi, juxtaposing the lavish spending on the Ganga’s cleanup against the dismal results witnessed.
Ramesh highlighted the discrepancy between Modi’s promises and the ground reality, pointing out that the Ganga’s condition has deteriorated despite the implementation of the Namami Gange project, which has incurred a staggering cost of over Rs 20,000 crore. The Congress leader questioned the whereabouts of this substantial sum, alleging corruption and mismanagement in its utilization.
Moreover, Ramesh castigated Modi for neglecting the villages he pledged to uplift. Despite Modi’s grandiose assurances of development initiatives such as “smart schools” and improved health facilities, a recent ground report revealed a stark absence of progress in these villages over the past decade. Ramesh cited specific instances of dilapidated infrastructure in villages like Domri and Nagepur, emphasizing the glaring discrepancy between promises made and actions taken.
Accusing Modi of abandoning his adopted villages, Ramesh questioned the authenticity of Modi’s commitment to serving his constituents. Furthermore, he criticized Modi’s ideological stance, alleging a preference for Godse over Gandhi and citing the eviction of the Sarwa Sewa Sangh as evidence of Modi’s disdain for Gandhian principles.
Transitioning to Jharkhand, Ramesh interrogated Modi’s unfulfilled promises in the state, particularly regarding the establishment of engineering and medical colleges, as well as the delayed Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor project. Despite Modi’s pledges during the 2014 Jharkhand Assembly polls, Ramesh pointed out the failure to deliver on these commitments, questioning the sincerity of Modi’s assurances.
Ramesh reserved particular scrutiny for Modi’s promise of a medical college in Koderma, which remains unrealized despite several years passing since its foundation stone was laid. Similarly, the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor, touted as a key infrastructure project, remains incomplete despite promises of its timely completion by former rail minister Piyush Goyal.
Ultimately, Ramesh’s barrage of questions seeks to hold Modi accountable for his unfulfilled promises and perceived failures in delivering on key developmental initiatives across various constituencies, painting a picture of a leader whose actions have failed to match his rhetoric.
‘Modi is an outgoing PM’
Jairam Ramesh labelled Modi as an “outgoing PM” in the Lok Sabha elections.
“He will continue to do all these things, but it’s clear that he is an outgoing PM in the Lok Sabha elections. We will bid farewell on the 4th because they won’t be getting a mandate. Elections have been held for 379 seats in 4 phases, and it was evident after the second phase that the BJP is clear in South India and half in East and West India,” Ramesh said on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a grand roadshow in Patna along with CM Nitish Kumar and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad on Sunday evening.
Asserting that the BJP and BJD represent two sides of the same coin, Ramesh accused the BJD of tacitly supporting the Modi government’s policies while maintaining a facade of opposition in Odisha.
“We (Congress) haven’t been in power (in Odisha) for 24 years now. The issues we’re focusing on in this election, such as those concerning farmers, backward classes, tribals, and youth unemployment and inflation, are the same issues we’re fighting for. There’s no real difference between the BJP and BJD; they are two sides of the same coin, Ramesh said.
“The real battle in this election in Odisha is between Congress and the BJP – BJD. Although there isn’t an official alliance between them, unofficially, there is a coalition because the BJD has supported every policy of the Modi government for the past 10 years. They support in Delhi and fight a friendly battle here. That’s what’s happening between the BJP and BJD,” he added.
Ramesh criticised the Pran Prathishta ceremony as a political spectacle aimed at bolstering the image of an political figure, distancing the Congress from the event while affirming their reverence for Lord Ram within Indian society.
“We are worshippers of Ram, not businessmen; Ram devotion is in our society. Ram resides in the hearts of every Indian, but the ceremony on January 22 was a political event, a political show for the ego of a political figure. So, we didn’t attend, but that doesn’t mean we’re not devotees of Ram,” Ramesh said.
The Ram Mandir was opened to the public after Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony on January 22, which was attended by top sportspeople and celebrities.
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