Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday stated that Naxalism thrived in Chhattisgarh and other states for decades due to Congress' policies. Speaking at a public gathering in Mohbhattha village, Bilaspur district, Modi highlighted that the situation is now changing rapidly, ushering in a new era of peace in Naxal-affected regions.

"For years, Congress' policies fueled Naxalism in several states, including Chhattisgarh. Wherever development lagged, Naxalism took root. But what did the party that governed for 60 years do? Instead of addressing the issue, it simply labeled such districts as backward and neglected its responsibility," he remarked. He pointed out that countless families have lost their loved ones to Maoist violence, with mothers mourning their sons and sisters grieving their brothers.

"The apathy of previous governments only worsened the situation. Chhattisgarh has suffered due to this neglect. The former Congress government never prioritized the needs of poor tribal communities," Modi said, citing central schemes like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and Ayushman Bharat Yojana, which offers free medical treatment up to ₹5 lakh.

The Prime Minister asserted that under the BJP’s "double-engine government," Chhattisgarh is witnessing rapid transformation. "With development and welfare initiatives, Naxal-affected areas are now seeing a wave of peace," he said, reiterating that Congress' policies had encouraged Naxalism. He added that while BJP not only provides housing for people, it also ensures an improved quality of life for residents.

"Under Congress rule, the dream of lakhs of people to own pucca houses remained stuck in paperwork. The BJP government, however, has made this dream a reality. We don’t just build houses; we uplift lives," Modi stated. Emphasizing the growing public trust in the BJP, he said the party has fulfilled every promise made to the people. He also criticized Congress, claiming that Chhattisgarh had to be formed as a separate state because the region saw no progress under Congress rule."Congress never cared for your well-being or basic amenities," he concluded.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.