PM Modi declares 'Hat-Trick at Centre' as he concludes Lok Sabha Campaign in Punjab

Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, on Thursday. He expressed confidence that the BJP will secure a third consecutive victory on June 4, the day of vote counting.

Confidence in BJP’s victory

Addressing a rally for Anita Som Prakash, the BJP candidate from Hoshiarpur, Modi stated, “India has decided to elect the Modi government for a third time. After decades, we are set to score a hat-trick at the Centre with a full majority to fulfill the vision of a developed India (Viksit Bharat). The 21st century is India’s century, and a strong government is coming back.”

Modi highlighted his government’s achievements over the past 10 years, saying it has provided a robust administration that has defeated the nation’s enemies and made India prosperous and self-reliant. He emphasized the motto “Karam hi dharam hai” (work is worship) for inclusive development.

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Future plans and criticism of opposition

Modi revealed a 125-day roadmap for the government’s initial actions if re-elected. “We have prioritized tasks for after we return to power. The first quarter will focus on youth, with key decisions for the next five years and a vision for the next 25 years to create a new India,” he said.

Modi called for making Punjab a developed state and claimed that the people of Punjab have decided to support him. He accused the opposition of taking away reservations meant for Dalits, backward classes, and tribals, and giving them only to Muslims. Modi alleged that Congress and its allies insult the Constitution and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and oppose the CAA and the Ram Mandir due to vote-bank politics.

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Modi announced that a new airport in Adampur will be named after Guru Ravidas. Modi criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for allying with Congress, accusing both of corruption. “Another corrupt party (AAP) has joined Congress. They pretend to fight each other but contest together in Chandigarh and Delhi. The first government of the most corrupt person was formed in Delhi with Congress’s support, showing they have learned corruption from Congress,” he said.

He labeled Congress as the “mother of corruption,” stating, “For 60 years, Congress has been involved in many corruption scandals. They have a PhD in corruption.”

Modi also targeted AAP for failing to tackle the drug menace in Punjab and their alleged involvement in the liquor scam in Delhi. “AAP came promising to free Punjab from drugs but has used drugs as a means of earning. The world knows about the liquor scam in Delhi. The mining mafia is also active here,” he added.

Polling for 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab will take place in the seventh and final phase on June 1. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are being conducted in seven phases over six weeks, from April 19 to June 1. The results will be announced on June 4.