Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently addressed a public gathering in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, where he criticised the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, warning that their return to power would bring back an era of severe water scarcity in the state.
Modi claimed that the Agadhi alliance, which includes Congress and other parties, has failed to address Maharashtra's persistent drought issues, particularly in regions like Marathwada, known for its water crisis.
The prime minister directly urged Maharashtra’s women to prevent the MVA alliance from coming to power, warning that, under their rule, the people would be left struggling for every drop of water.
"The Agadhi alliance will make you beg for every drop of water, which is why I tell mothers and sisters not to allow them even a chance to enter power," Modi stated in Hindi, emphasising his belief that MVA leadership would neglect vital issues like water conservation and management.
Modi’s comments come at a time when Maharashtra is gearing up for assembly elections on November 20. The gathering also saw the presence of top National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders, including Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, who extended their support to Modi’s agenda of development and regional welfare.
The prime minister went on to criticise the MVA's handling of Maharashtra’s development and infrastructure projects, particularly its alleged disregard for the Marathwada region's longstanding water scarcity issues.
He highlighted that it was under his government that dedicated efforts were finally made to mitigate drought conditions and tackle the water crisis through major infrastructure projects. Modi claimed that previous governments, especially those led by Congress, overlooked these challenges, resulting in prolonged hardships for the people.
Addressing the controversy around the renaming of Aurangabad to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Modi pointed out that this was a long-standing demand supported by the late Balasaheb Thackeray, the Shiv Sena founder.
He accused the MVA of ignoring this demand due to alleged political pressure from Congress. In contrast, he said that the Mahayuti government fulfilled Thackeray’s vision by renaming the city shortly after assuming office.
The renaming decision, Modi argued, respects Maharashtra’s historical and cultural identity, underscoring his government’s commitment to preserving the region's legacy.
The prime minister also took the opportunity to emphasise his administration's achievements in building modern infrastructure across Maharashtra. He highlighted the Samruddhi Mahamarg, also known as the Mumbai-Nagpur Highway, as a key project aimed at enhancing connectivity throughout the state.
The 701-kilometre highway directly links Marathwada, Vidarbha, and Mumbai, serving as a backbone for trade and transportation. According to Modi, projects like Samruddhi Mahamarg illustrate the difference in approach between the BJP-led government and the previous administration, with the former focusing on development and regional integration.
Further addressing heritage and tourism, Modi spoke about the recently constructed Palkhi Highway, intended to facilitate the annual pilgrimage to Pandharpur.
The road network supports devotees carrying the palkhi (palanquin) of Saint Dnyaneshwar, providing them a dedicated route for the sacred journey. Modi stressed that this new infrastructure would not only ease travel for pilgrims but also strengthen cultural heritage by preserving the tradition of the pilgrimage.
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