Modi’s election speeches unappealing

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s campaign in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram and Rajasthan revolved around Congress bashing and targeting the Nehru-Gandhi family, Modi concentrated in Telangana on the "failures" of the TRS government and attacking KCR.

"The Chief Minister is following the Congress footsteps and believes that if the Congress can rule for 50-55 years doing nothing, then he too can do it," he said, calling the elections an opportunity to seek accountability from the TRS government and teach them a lesson, Modi thundered.

The two meetings of the Prime Minister were rather disappointing. He came, he spoke and he left. Instead of conquering the people’s heart, Modi committed faux pas on certain issues. The first one was when he said Nizamabad was reeling under power crisis.

As Prime Minister, he must be fully aware that across the country almost all the states are power surplus thanks to national grid connectivity. Any state can buy power from anywhere and that’s what both the Telugu States are doing. Similarly, he said that before BJP came to power at Centre, there used to be a system where MPs were given quota for sanctioning gas and phone. That system was ages ago, Mr Prime Minister. There was also dichotomy in Modi’s assessment of TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao’s performance. Modi during his reply to no-confidence motion moved by TDP said that KCR had shown maturity after bifurcation of the state and got busy in developing the new born state. Today he made a scathing attack accusing him of doing nothing. Which statement of yours is correct, PM Sir?

The PM felt that the hallmark of KCR government is half-hearted promises, half-hearted schemes and they did not even complete their term. Telangana was formed after years of struggle and numerous sacrifices of youth. The state government doesn't have the right to destroy that sacrifice. Those who promised welfare of youth, farmers, tribals and the oppressed but did nothing should be taught a lesson by the people Modi felt. Taking a dig at KCR for promising to turn Nizamabad into London, Modi said even smaller towns and cities in BJP-ruled states were better off and advised the Chief Minister to "stay in those towns" to learn about development. All that criticism is understandable.

But Modi took certain jibes at Congress party saying if he questions their performance, they raise questions like what is the name of Modi’s mother, what is Modi’s father, what his caste etc. But Modi ji is it not a fact that the saffron party too has been asking Rahul as to what his gotra and lineage was? When top leaders of national or regional parties address public meetings, the general expectation is that people will get to hear something interesting and the speeches would boost the spirts of the cadre and would give a clear picture of what their party would do if voted to power. But the two meetings which were addressed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi were disappointing. While the rebuttal given by KCR on power issue was of course strong enough, the way Modi and KCR addressed the speeches and attacked each other gives an impression that it was more of a shadow boxing between the two parties.

The Prime Minister also spoke about vote bank politics. But is it not a fact that all parties are to be equally blamed for it. That’s what everyone is doing. Is it not a fact that the issue or Ram Temple at Ayodhya comes to centre stage before every elections and is put on back burner once BJP comes to power. Modi himself said, Wherever politics of vote bank flourishes there has been no development. Then how can he claim that he will usher in Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas. The Prime Minister asked the people, should KCR be punished for misleading people or not? Well PM Sir, just take a look at your speeches of 2014 in Andhra Pradesh. Does this not apply to you as well?

The Prime Minister’s concluding remarks is exactly what we heard during his speeches in Andhra Pradesh in 2014. “Vote for Kamal (Lotus) here and Kamal and at Centre and I will take your state to new heights.” We have seen to what heights the centre has taken Andhra Pradesh for having believed his word. All parties and leaders should realise that people cannot be taken for granted.