PM Modi attacks Congress for sport scams in Haryana's Sonipat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at previous Congress governments for chronic corruption in sports and welfare schemes while campaigning for the Haryana Assembly elections at Gohana and compared those days with the last five years. The PM was in Sonipat district to rally for Olympic wrestler and BJP candidate Yogeshwar Dutt. PM Modi also lauded the Manohar Lal Khattar government for delivering welfare schemes to the poor and boosting infrastructure.

“Under Congress rule, neither our jawans were safe nor our farmers nor the interests of sportspersons were taken into account. They (Congress leaders) grew crops of corruption on farmer's land. Under Congress's rule, you are aware of the condition of sports and sportspeople," said PM Modi.

READ | Haryana Opinion Poll: BJP's Yogeshwar Dutt Projected For Baroda Loss

Targets Congress for corruption in sport events

PM Modi talked about corruption cases surfacing in the news during events instead of sports. “Just imagine, the players are the same, the competitions are the same, the institutions are the same. Then where did the change come from? The BJP government in the Centre and the one in Haryana only changed the condition. We brought in transparency and wiped out nepotism and politics,” said PM Modi adding that he wishes to see India excel in the world of sports. He also called on for greater participation of sportspersons in governance and public service.

READ | Haryana: BJP's Babita Phogat's Dadri Fight Likely To Go Down To Wire

PM projects social security schemes for workers

The PM then stressed on the various financial and social security programs adopted by the government emphasizing on the Pradhan Mantri KISAN scheme and Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan Pension Yojana. "Farmers are getting financial assistance without the involvement of any middlemen. The benefits directly go into their bank account. We had even started a pension scheme for daily wage labourers," said PM Modi.

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM KISAN) is an initiative by the Centre in which all small and marginal farmers get up to Rs 6,000 per year as minimum income support. Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan Pension Yojana (PM SYM) assures a monthly pension of at least Rs 3,000 post the age of 60 to workers from the unorganized sector.

READ | Haryana Opinion Poll: JJP Projected To Benefit From Chautala Clan Rift

Focus on infrastructure from rail to roads

Prime Minister Modi also highlighted the progress made in infrastructure in the state saying, "We are building state-of-the-art trains and expanding rail infrastructure. Now we are even exporting coaches. Once ready, the rail factory in Ganaur will provide employment to the youth." In 2018, PM Modi laid the foundation stone for a Rail Coach Refurbishment factory in Ganaur which is expected to be ready by 2021.

"In the last five years, eight national highways have been built. Railway lines between Gohana and Jind are providing good services. Soon this area will be connected with the Delhi metro rail network too," added PM Modi. He also applauded the implementation of welfare initiatives by the Khattar government in the likes of building toilets for girls in schools and providing LPG gas connections to poor households.

READ | Haryana Opinion Poll: CM Manohar Lal Khattar Projected To Win Karnal

Appeal to women to outperform men voters

At the end of his near 30 minutes speech, he appealed to voters to vote on Monday and not be swayed by the temptation of a long weekend. PM Modi also encouraged women to vote in larger numbers than men.