Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed a roadshow in the Gomati area of the election-bound state of Tripura on Friday, sending the locals there into a frenzy.
The roadways along which the Prime Minister’s motorcade travelled were lined with people on both sides.
Additionally, some saw the prime minister waving and extending greetings to them.
The Prime Minister spoke at public gatherings earlier in the day in the election-bound State’s Radhakishorepur and Ambassa.
At his speech in Ambassa, the Prime Minister praised the development efforts of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) administration and declared that the northeastern state is positioned to become the “Gateway” to South Asia.
He claimed that by consistently honouring their efforts, the BJP government works to highlight the contributions made by tribal people to the development of the nation.
“I had promised ‘HIRA’ (Highways, Internet ways, Railways and Airways) in Tripura and people could see the delivery of projects. The work of doubling the length of National Highways in Tripura is at a high pace,” he said.
“The work of laying optical fiber in villages is going on in Tripura. In the last eight years, more than three times the optical fiber has been laid in Tripura. Around 5,000 km of new roads were built in Tripura to connect its villages. A new airport was also built in Agartala. Optical fiber and 4G connectivity are being brought to villages. Now, Tripura is becoming global. We are developing waterways to connect the northeast and Tripura with ports. Tripura is poised to become the ‘Gateway’ of South Asia,” PM Modi said.
He said the BJP government is focussing on increasing the income of people in Tripura. Money has been transferred into the bank accounts of farmers under PM-Kisan. “This amount will be increased once BJP comes back to power. Under our rule, farmers are reaping the benefits of MSP (minimum support price),” he said.
Further criticising the Left and Congress, PM Modi claimed that they were both to blame for Tripura’s stagnant progress.
“Earlier police stations in Tripura were captured by the CPM cadre but now under BJP rule, there is a rule of law in the state. Now, there is women empowerment in the state and there is an ease of living. For decades, the rule of Congress and Communists hindered the development of Tripura. BJP government brought development in Tripura. Violence is not anymore the identity of Tripura. BJP made state free from fear and violence. The Congress and the Left only know how to betray the poor. They can never free the poor from any problem. BJP as your servant, as your true companion… is working hard day and night to remove your every concern,” he added.
It is crucial to note that from 1993 to 2018, the Left Front ruled Tripura for 25 years in a row.
Elections are scheduled in Tripura for 60 seats on February 16. The counting of votes will be held on March 2.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has nominated candidates for 55 of the assembly’s seats, leaving five open for its coalition partner, the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT).
The Left-Congress coalition has also announced its candidates for each of the 60 seats.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and President JP Nadda announced the party’s manifesto on Thursday.