Contrasting the work and outlook of the BJP Governments with that of the Congress, Shri Modi pointed that a lack of trust is the biggest thing affecting this country. “Biggest crisis in India is a lack of trust. Whom to trust…does anyone have faith in the Government in Delhi? Will you feel safe when your daughter has gone to Delhi alone?” he asked.
The Chief Minister recalled former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee and affirmed, “The amount of times we praise Atal ji, it is less. We have seen what all happened while creating new states. But, due to Vajpayee ji Chhattisgarh was born without any bloodshed. And now, when Chhattisgarh is scaling new heights of development, that is when we remember Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji.” Shri Modi shared that when Chhattisgarh was born there were Congress Governments both in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and people had great expectations from the new state Government. “But in three years the Congress Government ruined the state and the dreams of the people lay shattered. I used to wonder, Atal ji made Chhattisgarh with so much hope but what is happening. Now, people will think against creating small states. But the people understood things very well, said goodbye to Congress in 2003 and I salute this decision of yours,” he declared.
During his speech, Shri Modi showered immense praise on the leadership of Dr. Raman Singh. He said that Dr. Raman Singh has effectively carried forward the development of the state. He described Dr. Raman Singh as Pranvaan, Tejasvi, Lokpriya and person who is totally committed to the welfare of Chhattisgarh. Shri Modi also shared that when Chhattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh the budget of the state was Rs. 6000 crore but now that has risen to almost Rs. 49,000 crore. Likewise, Chhattisgarh was a zero irrigation state a decade ago but under Dr. Raman Singh, substantial work has been done in the field of irrigation. He also congratulated Dr. Raman Singh for a significant rise in Chhattisgarh’s per capital income. Shri Modi affirmed that the Congress should learn from Dr. Raman Singh on how to be accountable to the people. Shri Modi challenged the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to come face to face with Dr. Raman Singh and each must say who did what for Chhattisgarh. “Dr. Manmohan Singh will not be able to answer because except theft and loot what have they done?” he opined.
Shri Modi praised Dr. Raman Singh for his unrelenting and courageous fight against Naxalism. He said that during meetings of the National Development Council, everyone takes Dr. Raman Singh’s views very seriously but when he talks about Naxalism, Congressmen become silent and they urge Dr. Raman Singh to talk on everything else part from Naxalism. Shri Modi expressed confidence that if Dr. Raman Singh gets five more years then Chhattisgarh will go ahead of even Gujarat and that he would be very proud if that happens. He noted that in April the Prime Minister presented Awards of Excellence to seven states but not a single UPA ruled state figured in the list. On the other hand, BJP ruled Karnataka won two awards while Gujarat and Chhattisgarh won one award each.
The Chief Minister launched a no holds barred attack on the Congress and its top leaders for their anti-people policies. He affirmed, “The Government in Delhi is immersed in corruption. They are not willing to improve and the people do not forgive those who are not willing to improve. We have heard of diamond, money, ornaments getting stolen but this Government at the Centre has stolen coal as well. Situation is such that banks might as well announce they have locker facilities to store coal” Shri Modi categorically stated that the need of the hour is to ensure that there is no state or corner of the country that has the misfortune of being ruled by the Congress. Shri Modi accused the Congress of giving slogans for 40 years but not answers. “Congress gave slogan of Garibi Hatao but has poverty been removed? They promised to bring prices down in 100 days but has that happened?” he questioned.
Shri Modi also asked the Congress leaders not to take credit to things that they have not done. He said, “One Congress leader went to Kerala and said we have done a lot for education in this state. You take credit for Kerala but you ruled India for 50 years then why is there still illiteracy among the people? If you are honest you will give credit to stalwarts like Narayana Guru for colossal efforts to promote education. For God’s sake do not insult greats like Narayan Guru.”
Speaking on the occasion, Chhattisgarh CM Dr. Raman Singh talked about the development initiatives of his Government in the last decade. He stated that Shri Modi is a person who has defeated the Congress by an innings and said that this is the first time Shri Modi is visiting Chhattisgarh after defeating the Congress. He praised Shri Modi for its development initiatives and shared that Shri Modi has been attached to Chhattisgarh even before becoming the Chief Minister, as the Prabhari of the state. Several top BJP leaders were present on the occasion.
