Coimbatore: Hailing Coimbatore as the city of enterprise and the culture of Tamil Nadu as unique, PM Modi said, “Your language is a heritage language and is praised all over the world.”
Coimbatore: Hailing Coimbatore as the city of enterprise and the culture of Tamil Nadu as unique, PM Modi said, “Your language is a heritage language and is praised all over the world.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was here in the city to campaign for the BJP-AIADMK alliance's candidates from Coimbatore, Pollachi, Nilgiris, Tirupur and Erode.
He paid homage to MGR and Jayalalithaa saying, “Their thoughts will guide us. The parliamentary elections are around the corner and it will decide the future of country in the 21st century. This election is between a stable NDA government and unstable opposition parties. In the last five years, NDA’s development schemes have given a better life to millions of people in India. NDA has given top priority for the Defence sector. Hence, in our vision for a secure India, Tamil Nadu plays a major role. Once the Defence corridor comes in, it will bring self-sufficiency to our Defence sector and provide employment to thousands,” regaled the PM on what he considered were his party’s achievements during their reign.
Slamming Congress in his usual style, Modi said, “Congress did little with regard to the security of the nation. Terrorists have killed our defence people and thousands of innocent people were killed too. Even Coimbatore suffered at the hands of terrorism in 1998. Congress and DMK did nothing. Today’s India is different. If terrorists try to harm India, it will be given back with ‘interest.’
Opposition keeps asking why Modi talks about ‘nationalism,’ is it a crime to talk about ‘nationalism?’ It is that ‘nationalism’ that opened bank accounts to every Indian. This ‘nationalism’ gave electricity to 18,000 villages, pension to 42 crore Indian and built houses for 1.5 crore Indians, unlike UPA. We will remain ‘Nationalists’ and continue to remain Nationalists,” he reiterated.
“The Congress Manifesto is nothing but anti-Indian. It only makes the terrorists happy. India’s middle class decides the future of India but the Congress-DMK alliance has done nothing for them. There is no mention, even once, about the middle class in their manifesto. Votes for Congress means more taxes. Congress’ hatred for the middle class is not new,” mocked Modi with regard to the Congress’ election manifesto.
“Efforts like Mudra and Start up India brought a lot of benefits to the middle class. The 59-minute loan that the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises grants takes lesser time than reaching Chennai. Congress will raise taxes and destroy our culture. In Kerala, the Congress and the Communists have destroyed culture. The Sabarimala issue has vote politics written all over it. This ‘chowkidar’ will never let down honest businesses. BJP will do everything possible for the benefit of MSMEs. The GST in textile sector has always been modified based on suggestions from the industry. Out of the 2,00,000 lakh powerlooms upgraded, 60 percent are in Tamil Nadu,” detailed Modi, continuing his campaign speech.
Highlighting women empowerment as one of BJP’s key areas in the manifesto, Modi said, “The time has come for women to lead development. Women were the major beneficiaries of our various welfare schemes. But the Congress and DMK are “anti-women” parties. DMK is a deeply patriarchal party and remember how badly they treated Jayalalithaa.”
“Water crisis is the major crisis that the world is facing today. We will constitute a special task force to deal with the water shortage issue. We will work in mission mode for interlinking of rivers, cleaning of rivers and rainwater harvesting,” promised Modi reiterating the party’s manifesto.
Addressing the youth and first-time voters in the city, Modi said, “Young friends born in the 21st century will participate in the democratic process. Just like people devote their first salary for a better cause, devote your first vote for a better India. Cast your vote for truth and stability. Cast your vote for the betterment of farmers. Never vote for dynastic politics.”
“130 crore people now believe in NDA. Every Indian has become a ‘chowkidar’ against terrorism, corruption and will work for better governance. Naarpathum namadhe, naadum namadhe,” signed off PM Modi.