Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: As Maharashtra gears up for the upcoming Assembly elections 2024, the political landscape is heating up with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi leading from the front. Both leaders are making significant appearances in the state, each focusing on high-profile events to strengthen their campaigns. While PM Modi is busy launching major development projects, Rahul Gandhi is taking a symbolic stand by unveiling a statue of the revered Maratha warrior, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
PM Modi To Launch Rs 56,000 Crore Projects Ahead of Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024
In a strategic move ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Maharashtra is marked by the inauguration of several ambitious projects aimed at boosting the state’s infrastructure and agriculture. Modi will unveil development schemes valued at over Rs 56,000 crore, with a substantial portion allocated to agriculture and animal husbandry projects. These initiatives, costing Rs 23,300 crore, include the Banjara Virasat Museum, which celebrates the heritage of the Banjara community.
In addition, the PM will lay the foundation stone for projects worth Rs 32,800 crore in Thane. He will also flag off the BKC-Aarey Metro-3 service. A significant highlight of his visit will be the release of the 18th instalment of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, injecting nearly Rs 20,000 crore into the rural economy to benefit 94 crore farmers.
Through these initiatives, PM Modi aims to capture the attention of Maharashtra’s voters ahead of the Assembly election, presenting his government as a harbinger of development and progress.
Rahul Gandhi’s Fiery Speech at Shivaji Maharaj Statue Inauguration
While PM Modi focused on development, Rahul Gandhi struck a chord with the people of Maharashtra by unveiling a 20-foot equestrian statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Kolhapur. The statue’s inauguration comes months after the collapse of a previous statue in Malvan, which had sparked controversy. Rahul Gandhi seized the moment to not only honor Shivaji Maharaj but also criticise the BJP’s ideology.
“The Congress party is fighting against the same ideology that Shivaji Maharaj stood against. The BJP made a statue of Shivaji Maharaj, and within days, it fell. This was a message—if you want to honor Shivaji Maharaj, you must first protect his ideology,” said Gandhi during his speech at the event.
Rahul Gandhi also took the opportunity to criticise the BJP’s handling of national events, accusing them of excluding important figures like the tribal President from the Ram Mandir and Parliament inaugurations.
Backdrop of Shivaji Maharaj Statue Controversy
PM Modi had unveiled a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on December 4 last year at Rajkot Fort in Malvan, Sindhudurg district, during Navy Day celebrations. However, the statue collapsed on August 26, less than nine months later, triggering a political storm. Opposition leaders strongly criticized the state government, accusing it of not paying enough attention to the quality of the statue’s construction. The incident fueled a heated political debate, with the opposition blaming the government for negligence.
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