Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress party of having an “inherent habit” of abandoning challenging development projects, which he claims has significantly harmed the Northeastern states, particularly Arunachal Pradesh. Speaking at a rally on Monday at the Indira Gandhi Park in Itanagar, he unveiled development projects totaling over Rs 5,100 crore.
Modi asserted that true development of the Northeast cannot solely come from Delhi-centric policies. He emphasized his commitment by stating that he has visited the region more than 70 times, ensuring that ministers and officials are regularly dispatched to cater to local needs.
“One inherent habit of Congress is their reluctance to engage in difficult development work—they abandon it completely. This has harmed Arunachal Pradesh and the entire Northeast,” Modi stated, suggesting that Congress would often label these challenging areas as backward and neglect them.
Highlighting the festive spirit, he announced the launch of next-generation GST reforms on the first day of Navratri, saying people will enjoy a “double bonanza” this festive season. Modi explained, “Today, we have initiated GST ‘Bachat Utsav’ nationwide. During festivals, the population will benefit greatly from these reforms, leading to reductions in kitchen budgets helping women.”
Modi criticized the previous Congress government for imposing increased taxes while prices rose, claiming, “The Congress government kept putting a heavy tax burden on citizens while our administration has gradually reduced these taxes, providing relief.”
He also pointed out that border villages suffered neglect under successive Congress governments, leading to migration from those regions. Modi claimed that Congress paid little attention to Arunachal Pradesh, owing to its limited representation in Lok Sabha with just two seats.
“Upon receiving the opportunity to serve the nation in 2014, I dedicated myself to liberating the country from the Congress mindset. Our guiding principle is not based on the number of votes from any state, but on putting the nation first,” he emphasized. His motto, “Nagrik Devo Bhava” (the citizen is God), reflects his approach to governance.
Modi expressed pride in the developmental progress in Arunachal Pradesh since 2014, stating, “This state that was long neglected during Congress rule has now become a center of developmental priority.” He showcased the projects unveiled that day as part of the benefits of working with a “double-engine” government.
“In the last decade, Arunachal Pradesh received Rs 1 lakh crore from the central government, which is 16 times more than the aid provided during the Congress era,” he added, reinforcing his point about the transformative changes under his leadership.
As the rally concluded, Modi’s remarks resonated with many attendees, reflecting the sentiments of his dedication to Northeast development. His promises and projects highlight a continuing commitment to the region as a strategic pillar in India’s growth narrative.
