Senior BJP leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a public rally in Nanded today, expressing satisfaction with the first phase of voting while urging for continued high voter turnout. Mr. Modi emphasised the importance of both the ruling party and the opposition working tirelessly for democracy. He highlighted the NDA government’s achievements, including providing toilets to millions of women, facilitating bank accounts for the poor, and introducing Digital India and UPI technology. Criticising the Congress, Mr Modi noted their opposition to UPI technology, the Citizen Amendment Act, and their alleged neglect of Maharashtra, which he claimed led to farmers’ distress, industrial problems, and migration in Marathwada.

Mr. Modi lauded the benefits provided to farmers through schemes like Kisan Samman Nidhi and defended the amended Citizenship Act as a measure to provide justice to those affected by partition. He asserted his commitment to leading India to become the world’s third-largest economy. The rally saw the presence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, BJP MP Ashok Chavan, and Republican Party of India (A) President and Union Minister of State for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale. Nanded and Hingoli Lok Sabha constituencies are going to vote on the 26th of April. The BJP has fielded Pratap Patil Chikhlikar from Nanded, and the NDA-Alliance has fielded Baburao Kadam-Kohlikar Hingoli Parliamentary constituency. The Congress has nominated former MLA Vasant Chavan from Nanded, and Nagesh Patil Ashtikar of Shivsena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackery is the candidate from Hingoli.