'Change is finalised in Chhattisgarh': PM Modi in Bilaspur ahead of assembly elections

PM Modi in Chhattisgarh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday attended the concluding ceremony of two 'Parivartan Yatras' of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Bilaspur city. This is PM Modi's third visit to the Congress-ruled state, where assembly elections are due to be held later this year.

Addressing a public rally, the Prime Minister cornered CM Bhupesh Baghel-led government over the issue of corruption saying, "Chhattisgarh is steeped in corruption and misrule. There is scam in every scheme (in Congress government)."

"It is my guarantee that your dreams are my resolution... Your dreams will be fulfilled only when there is a BJP government here. No matter how many efforts we make from Delhi, the Congress here fails those efforts. In the last five years, Chhattisgarh got thousands of crores of rupees here. Roads, rail, electricity, and various other development projects, we did not keep any scarcity of money for the state. Deputy CM said this is a public gathering... In public life, realities cannot be hidden. If the Deputy CM says that Delhi does no injustice, this should have been a matter of happiness for all, but Congress had a hurricane. The Indian government approved infrastructure in Chhattisgarh projects worth thousands of crores. They are either halted or delayed...", said PM Modi.

"During the Congress rule, Rs 300 crores were allocated for the railways. But this year, the BJP has given Rs 6000 crores... This is 'Modi Model', this is my love for Chhattisgarh. This is my commitment to Chhattisgarh's development. We are trying to electrify the railway tracks as soon as possible... It is the BJP who gave modern Vande Bharat train to Chhattisgarh...," the Prime Minister added.

"Change is finalised in Chhattisgarh. The excitement seen here is the declaration of change. People of Chhattisgarh have decided to not tolerate Congress' atrocities anymore," PM Modi said at ‘Parivartan Maha Sankalp Rally’.

Parivartan Yatras in Chhattisgarh:

While the first Parivartan Yatra was taken out from Dantewada (south Chhattisgarh) on September 12, the second one was rolled out from Jashpur (north Chhattisgarh) on September 15, he said.

Both the yatras saw 83 'Swagat Sabhas' (welcome gatherings), four roadshows and various public meetings before culminating at Bilaspur, covering a distance of more than 3,000 km across 87 assembly segments (out of the total 90), he said.

Bijapur, Sukma, and Antagarh constituencies (all Maoist-affected) have not been included in the itinerary, but people belonging to these constituencies were engaged in the yatra when it passed through the adjoining constituencies.

"Even rainfall at various places could not dampen the morale of the party leaders and workers and they enthusiastically participated in the two yatras which also saw a huge response of people," he said.

The two yatras, which saw a participation of around 50 lakh people, have turned the wave of change into a storm, Sao said, exuding confidence that the Congress will be ousted from power in the upcoming elections.

Security arrangements:

According to police, a massive security cover has been put in place at the venue of the programme. A total of 1,500 security personnel belonging to the police force, Special Protection Group (SPG), Chhattisgarh Armed Force, National Security Guard (NSG) and Home Guard will be deployed.

In view of the PM's visit, a three-kilometre radius of the city has been declared as a no-flying zone and anti-drone guns have also been deployed, a police official said.

In the 2018 assembly polls, the Congress handed a massive defeat to the BJP, which had been in power for 15 years under Raman Singh. The Congress had won 68 constituencies and the BJP just 15. The Congress currently holds 71 seats.

The saffron party had last month released its first list of candidates for 21 seats, which it had ceded to the Congress in the last polls even though the Election Commission of India (ECI) is yet to announce the schedule of the upcoming assembly elections, due later this year.

(With agencies inputs) 

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