In a charged rally in Dhule, Maharashtra, on November 8, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed sharp criticism at the Congress party, accusing it of dividing communities in the lead-up to the upcoming state assembly elections on November 20. Modi, invoking the slogan “Ek hai toh safe hai” (united we are safe), called for unity among Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) as a bulwark against divisive politics.
Modi didn’t hold back, calling Congress a “parasitic party” dependent on coalition partners to survive, and one that, he claimed, routinely employs divisive tactics. He argued that Congress has historically undermined the progress of marginalized communities, particularly the OBCs, in its quest for political advantage. The Prime Minister leaned into historical context, alleging that past Congress leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi opposed reservation policies for marginalized groups, and asserted that the current leadership under Rahul Gandhi has continued this legacy.
Modi appealed to voters to resist what he described as Congress’s “attempts to sow discord among communities,” asserting that the stakes for national unity and stability were too high. A return of Congress to power, he warned, would undo the progress made under the BJP’s rule.
Highlighting the developmental achievements of the BJP in Maharashtra, Modi assured supporters that the party’s Mahayuti alliance would keep the state on a path of growth and prosperity. Contrasting this with opposition-led states, he claimed the opposition often falters on promises once in power.
Modi also defended initiatives aimed at women’s empowerment, including the “Majhi Ladki Bahan Yojana,” a scheme he said Congress had opposed. He stressed that empowering women is essential for societal advancement, positioning this focus as integral to the BJP’s platform.
This rally kicked off Modi’s Maharashtra campaign tour, setting the tone for an intense push to consolidate support ahead of the elections. With a central message of unity, the Prime Minister aimed to galvanize voters against what he painted as the opposition’s divisive strategies, appealing to a broad base to keep the BJP-led government in power.
