PM Modi ​launches campaign to boost rural development; accuses Congress of 'undermining' Ambedkar's legacy

Mhow: Visiting the birthplace of Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar on his 125th birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here on Thursday that the architect of the Indian Constitution fought for 'equality and respect'.

“I am fortunate that I am here to salute the place where the great Dr Ambedkar was born,” Modi said while addressing a function in Mhow.

“Babasaheb Ambedkar was not just a person, he was synonymous with determination,” the PM stated.

Modi said Dr Ambedkar spent his life fighting against injustice in the society.

“His fight was for equality and respect,” he said.

“Despite facing numerous insults, he was not revengeful towards anyone while drafting the Constitution, this shows his greatness,” he added.

Launching the 'Gram Uday Se Bharat Uday' movement, the PM said there is a need to strengthen the foundation of our villages. “Only then the building of development will be built in the country.”

“This year's Budget is fully dedicated to our villages and farmers,” Modi said further.

Speaking about the joy of people in villages where electricity has reached, the PM said people are singing and dancing there in celebration.

“It's a matter of great regret that 18,000 villages of our country have not yet been electrified even decades after Independence,” he noted with regret.

PM Modi also hit out at the Congress party for failing to do enough for the poor.

Stepping up his offensive against the Congress, he asked the party to 'repent' for what it has not done in the last 60 years.

“Those who have been shouting 'poor, poor' for decades, what have they done for the poor?” the PM asked.

PM Modi, who has been attacked by Congress for trying to 'approporiate' national icons, hit back asking why successive Congress governments had not developed the five places (panchteerth) associated with Ambedkar during their tenure.

 

Listing a number of measures that his government is taking to carry forward the vision of Ambedkar including on maritime projects and the empowerment of weaker sections, PM Modi said, "for so many years, the vision of Ambedkar was undermined."

“A child whose mother used to clean utensils at other people's home, if he has grown up to become the prime minister, the credit goes to Babasaheb. And that is why we have been striving to work with dedication,” the PM said.

“But those who do vote bank politics have thought about nothing else but to divide the society,” he added.