PM Modi is accused of playing the ‘North-South divide card‘ to woo voters in UP right after polling in Southern states was completed.
Published May 16, 2024 | 7:06 PM ⚊ Updated May 16, 2024 | 10:48 PM
Modi speaking during a poll rally .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday, 16 May, alleged that INDIA bloc parties used abusive language and humiliated the people of Uttar Pradesh while the alliance leaders sought votes in South Indian states.
Modi’s comment, fuelling the North-South divide, comes after polling for Lok Sabha elections 2024 was completed in all 131 seats in the South.
Modi was addressing an election rally organised at a college ground in Juanpur in Uttar Pradesh in support of BJP candidates Kripashankar Singh from the Jaunpur parliamentary constituency and BP Saroj from the Machhlishahr (reserved) seat.
“This game of the Shehzade (referring to Rahul Gandhi) is dangerous. They (INDIA bloc) seek votes here and while in South India they abuse and humiliate the people of Uttar Pradesh and use absurd language for the people of UP,” Modi said.
He also alleged that the INDIA bloc abused Sanatana Dharma.
“Their partners DMK, Left in Kerala, Congress in Karnataka and Telangana use abusive words against the people of Uttar Pradesh. Will you forgive and vote for the people of the INDI Alliance who shower abuse against the people of Uttar Pradesh?” he asked.
Modi claimed the Lok Sabha election is an opportunity for the country to choose a leader who can run a strong government which “makes the world aware of India’s strength”.
“This election is an opportunity to choose the prime minister of the country. Such a prime minister who runs a strong government which cannot be dominated by the world but which makes the world aware of India’s strength,” he said.
“Therefore, when you vote for our Kripashankar ji from Jaunpur, BP Saroj ji from Machhlishahr, your vote forms a strong government. The votes given to them will go directly into Modi’s account,” the prime minister said.
Amid slogans of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and ‘Har Har Modi’, Modi said, “Your enthusiasm shows that you have made it difficult for the INDI alliance to win even a single seat in Uttar Pradesh.”
On development, he said, “You have seen in Kashi how a strong government works. We are seeing it happen in Ayodhya.”
“Earlier when people used to talk about development, sometimes the discussion was about Delhi, sometimes about Mumbai. Now, the country and the world also talk about Kashi-Ayodhya,” Modi added.
“It is my pledge to make a developed India and the growth engine of developed India will be Purvanchal. Modi and Yogi are going to change the picture and fate of Purvanchal in the next five years,” he said.
Voting will be held in Jaunpur and Machhlishahr on 25 May.
Leaders from South India decried the narrative. Karnataka Chief Minister said: “We consider Karnataka as the daughter of India. India has never discriminated anyone, but people like Modi spew venom.”
Just because the elections in Southern States are over, an ungrateful @PMOIndia is now trying to divide South and North Indians by targeting people from Southern States.
We consider Karnataka as the daughter of India. India has never discriminated anyone, but people like Modi…
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) May 16, 2024
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with PTI inputs)
