PM lauds Farmers and Soldiers at Haryana rally

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ambala and Sonipat, Haryana, on Saturday to lead the BJP’s Vijay Sankalp rally, aiming for a clean sweep in the state's ten Lok Sabha seats. Haryana will vote on May 25 in the sixth phase of the general elections. 

Addressing the rally, PM Modi sought the people's support for another five-year term. He emphasised Haryana's spirit of courage and determination, contrasting it with the Congress's record. “Haryana stands for courage and determination. It is the land of truth, but Congress has lied on this land. Haryana is ‘dhaakad’… Just like Haryana, Modi has run the government for 10 years in a ‘dhaakad’ manner. Today, when you see Rafale aircraft in the skies of Ambala, don’t you feel proud? I have come to seek your blessings for the next 5 years,” he said. 

PM Modi criticised the Congress for its treatment of farmers, highlighting his government's purchase of grains worth Rs 20 lakh crore under the MSP in the last decade, a threefold increase from previous years. He pointed out that Congress left Rs 60,000 crore in dues, which his administration addressed by transferring Rs 6.5 lakh crore directly to farmers' accounts and initiating the use of drones in agriculture. 

Accusing the Congress of betraying Indian soldiers and orchestrating the Bofors scam, Modi stated, “Pakistan had been troubling India for 70 years. Today, Pakistan is moving around with a plate in its hands. Under Congress rule, there was terrorism in Kashmir. Our sisters and daughters were afraid. Today, there is peace in Kashmir.” 

He highlighted his government's efforts to modernise the military, noting, “Our soldiers didn’t even get clothes, shoes, or bulletproof jackets. They were given sticks and told to fight terrorists. I started the campaign to make our soldiers self-reliant. Today, the Army is receiving made in India weapons.” 

PM Modi also discussed the empowerment of women and the promotion of sports in Haryana. He accused Congress of inconsistency, saying, “In Haryana, Congress has a broom in hand. In Punjab, Congress says those with brooms are thieves.” 

The Prime Minister underscored initiatives like Make in India in defence manufacturing to ensure the armed forces have advanced weaponry. He criticised the opposition I.N.D.I. Alliance for running out of ideas and lambasted the Congress for mismanagement and corruption, citing the Bofors and AgustaWestland scandals. 

“This election is to make India self-reliant. I appeal to you to vote for BJP candidates,” PM Modi concluded.