Thiruvalla (Kerala) | Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday accused the Congress of making "provocative" statements aimed at straining India's relations with West Asian nations to politically harm him and thereby, gain political mileage.
Strongly lashing out at the Congress and its allies, Modi said that they were only concerned with winning the elections.
"I want to say this clearly, elections will come and go, but the safety of Indians, especially those from Kerala in the Middle East, is my top priority, and I will ensure it," the PM said at an NDA rally here.
Modi said that besides the lakhs of people from Kerala working and living in the Gulf nations, there are fishermen from Goa, Tamil Nadu and other states who are stranded in Iran and parts of Middle East due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
"We are trying to bring them back safely. But, the Congress does not care about this. Congress is making statements that risk straining India’s relations with West Asian countries, creating unnecessary panic. This is being done only for political attacks on me.
"The only thing they care about is politics and power. The Congress does not care about the people of India. The Congress has betrayed the trust of the people of Kerala. They should apologise to them and the nation," Modi said.
His strong-worded attack on the Congress on the West Asia issue comes days after Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi called him a coward and accused him of bowing before the US and Israel to protect himself.
She had also alleged that Modi's policies have not provided safety and security to Indians stranded in the Gulf region during the conflict there.
In his speech at the rally, the PM claimed that the West Asia conflict had "exposed the mindset of Congress and its allies".
He said that he told the Congress leaders several times that it is not the time to make such "careless statements" as the safety of millions of Indian brothers and sisters living in the Gulf region was India's responsibility.
"Lakhs of Kerala residents work in the region, yet irresponsible statements by Congress leaders put their safety at risk. I urge Congress leaders to refrain from making remarks that could endanger Indians living in the Middle East.
"It is our government’s strong ties with Gulf countries that are helping protect our people in these difficult times," he contended.
Thiruvalla (Kerala) | Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that Lok Sabha seats would not be reduced in South Indian states that have successfully controlled population, and that the total number of seats will increase to benefit states across the country.
Addressing an NDA Assembly election rally here, Modi said the Parliament session has been extended to April 16–18 to pass amendments to the law ensuring 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies.
Both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, which adjourned on Thursday, will reconvene on April 16 for three days to take up legislation, including increasing Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 816 to implement women's reservation.
Modi said that the extension will also safeguard South Indian states from losing any seats despite their success in population control.
"There are false rumours being spread that seats will be reduced in South Indian states due to population control, but this is completely untrue. Parliament will take steps to ensure that their seats are fully protected.
"States like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Telangana, and others that have done well in population control must not lose any Lok Sabha seats, even if their population growth is lower," the prime minister said.
Modi's statement came after Congress targeted the BJP by raising the delimitation issue, arguing that the southern states, which have effectively controlled their populations, should not be "punished" with fewer parliamentary seats.
In a recent interview with PTI, senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh had said it was a "very big issue" and that, as things stand, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh could see a reduction in their number of seats.
Later in a tweet, the Congress leader said, "The Modi Govt is proposing to bulldoze a Bill to increase the size of the Lok Sabha by 50%. The number of seats allocated to each state is also proposed to be increased by 50%". However, he argued, "Proportions may not change for the present, but there are deeper implications that cannot be wished away. Any increase in the gap in the existing strengths of different states in the Lok Sabha will place South Indian states at a disadvantage".
Modi said that the government's goal was to ensure 33 per cent women's representation in Parliament from 2029 onwards and urged all parties to support the bill.
"Our government has ensured 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. From 16 - 18 April, Parliament will reconvene to deliberate on the Nari Shakti Vandan Act and take it forward. Our goal is to ensure 33 per cent women's representation in Parliament from 2029 onwards," he said, urging all parties to support the bill.
He emphasised the government's focus on women’s empowerment.
"The biggest beneficiaries of NDA policies are women. Women’s empowerment and representation are our priority. We have worked to solve every problem related to women’s lives. We built toilets in every home, opened Jan Dhan accounts, and constructed houses in women’s names."
On entrepreneurship, he added, "A large share of people starting their own businesses through Mudra loans are women, and the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ campaign has been successfully advancing."
