In a fervent appeal to voters, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally in Maharashtra’s Dhule district ahead of the state’s November 20 assembly elections. Modi criticized the Congress party for its alleged attempts to divide the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities, asserting that unity among these communities is vital for their progress and security. Modi coined the slogan “Ek Hain Toh Safe Hain” (“Together We are Safe”) to underscore the need for communal solidarity in the face of what he called the Congress’s “divisive agenda.”
“Congress has one clear agenda: to break the unity of SC, ST, and OBC communities. But if we stand united, our strength multiplies, and we are unshakeable,” Modi emphasized, addressing thousands at the rally. He added that a divided community is vulnerable, but unity ensures empowerment and continued development, further warning against the alleged “dangerous plan” by Congress to pit groups against each other.
Highlighting the commitment of the BJP-led alliance to Maharashtra’s progress, Modi took the opportunity to slam the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, likening it to a vehicle “without wheels or brakes” and describing the infighting within MVA as a power struggle with no clear direction for the state’s development. He also stressed the strong connection he feels with Maharashtra, a sentiment that he says drives the BJP’s dedication to rapid and inclusive development for the state.
Modi’s speech in Dhule was one of the first in a series of rallies planned by the BJP in Maharashtra as they campaign to secure voter support against the MVA, a coalition of Congress, the Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP. Emphasizing the BJP’s dedication to social and economic progress, Modi promised that the BJP-led “Mahayuti” (Grand Alliance) is the only coalition that can bring accelerated growth to Maharashtra’s people.
“People are like gods to us,” Modi said, “but some politicians only see people as a means to loot and exploit,” marking a stark contrast between the BJP’s intentions and those of its rivals.
