PM Modi exhorts Himachal voters to elect “double engine” government, citing benefits  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday set the poll tone in Himachal Pradesh by striking an emotional chord with people of Chamba—one of the most backward and underdeveloped districts of the Himalayan state.

The state assembly poll schedule is expected to be announced next week by the Election Commission of India (ECI) .The Prime Minister has already put the party in top gear in the poll-bound state, in the hope of ensuring Mission Repeat for the BJP.

At historic Chamba Chaugan—where he addressed a BJP rally, Modi declared “I can see, in you, a resolve to change destiny. I know your strength and quite confident about your brighter future. Today, I have come here to guarantee you my unflinching support. I stand behind you like a wall, a rock solid wall.”

The time has gone when Himachal Pradesh had to go begging in Delhi. No one cared about you (people),your needs and facilities.

“Today Jai Ram Thakur ji (CM) comes to me and tells me what next project needs to be launched as a matter of right” he said.

This is because the people of Himachal Pradesh have realized the strength of the double-engine government, which has doubled the pace of development in the state.

The Prime Minister said, “Only the double-engine government recognizes this power. Himachal has made up its mind to change the old custom and will create a new tradition.”

“A maha yagya of rapid development is going on in the hilly areas, in the inaccessible areas. The earlier governments in Delhi never bothered about areas facing backwardness or cut off from the main stream development. It was never their priority .Facilities were created only in those areas where it could give them maximum political advantage” Modi observed.

But , today’s government has shifted the focus of development where it is most needed. That’s why areas like Chamba, Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and Sirmaur are witnessing the development that people could never imagine.

“I have a special bond with Chamba, I got it included in the list of aspirational districts because of its potential, its rich culture, traditions and its terrains. Your (people’s) order is supreme for me. You are my high command” Prime Minister added.

Earlier in the day ,Prime Minister flagged off the fourth Vande Bharat train to cut down travel time to Delhi and laid foundation stone for Rs 1900 cr Bulk Drug Park ,beside inauguration of IIT project.

In Chamba ,he launched the III phase of PMGSY and laid the foundation stone of two hydel projects.

 

The Prime Minister remarked that two days ago, he was visiting the city of Mahakal, and today he has come to the refuge of Mani Maheshwar. He made an emotive reference to a letter received from a teacher from the area, who shared details of Chamba’s Minjar festival. The letter was shared by the Prime Minister in Mann ki Baat.

Modi  mentioned the adage that ‘Pahad ka Paani aur Pahad ki Jawani Pahad ke Kaam nahi aati’ i.e. Youth and water of hills is not used for hills, is changing. “Now the youth of hills will play an active part in the development of the area”, he said.

He also expressed happiness about a girl from Kerala – Devika, who sang Chamba’s popular folk song “Maae ni meriye Chamba kitni ki door ” and described it as the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.

The Prime Minister is expected to hold one more rally at Dharamshala next week while union home Minister Amit Shah is also arriving at Sirmaur on October 15–a day after Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will kick start the Congress campaign at Solan on October 14.

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