Fadnavis tears into Congress on Dharavi project ‘lies’, condemns Nomani’s ‘Vote Jihad’ call

NAGPUR/GADCHIROLI/CHANDRAPUR: Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis launched a dual-pronged attack on the opposition, accusing Congress of spreading "misinformation" about the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) and slamming Islamic scholar Sajjad Nomani's call for a "vote jihad" as illegal and polarizing. Speaking to the media in Gadchiroli and Nagpur on Saturday, Fadnavis defended the tender process of Dharavi project and warned against communal tensions being stoked ahead of polls.

Fadnavis dismissed allegations by the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) that the Dharavi project had been handed over to industrialist Gautam Adani. "The tendering process for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project was fair and transparent. The project has not been given to Adani; it has been awarded to DRP, in which the state govt is also a partner. These allegations are baseless and a result of Congress's unwillingness to support the upliftment of Dharavi's residents," Fadnavis said.

Slamming Rahul Gandhi, Fadnavis said that the Congress leader is anti-poor and has no interest in providing homes to Dharavi's residents. "Rajiv Gandhi announced the redevelopment project decades ago, but despite Congress being in power for 25 years after that, not a single paisa was spent on the project. Congress is using the poor people of Dharavi as their vote bank. They want them to remain poor," said Fadnavis.

Addressing the issue of controversial video of All India Muslim Personal Law Board member Sajjad Nomani urging a social boycott of Muslims who voted for BJP, Fadnavis called the statement dangerous. "Nomani is asking his community to socially boycott BJP voters among Muslims. Social boycott is illegal, and BJP leader Kirit Somaiyya has filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India," Fadnavis said.

Taking jibe at MVA leaders over the matter, Fadnavis accused them of encouraging polarization. "The so-called secularists are quiet. This shows that the MVA has no real developmental issues to address and is resorting to extreme polarization for votes," he said.

Fadnavis also highlighted a letter given to Congress by Muslim leaders, including Nomani, which contained what he described as "dangerous demands." "The letter includes demands such as withdrawing cases filed against Muslims during riots and banning the RSS. Congress has reportedly agreed to fulfil these promises. It's clear that MVA is engaging in divisive politics," Fadnavis said.

He reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for unity, stating, "If the MVA continues to polarize, the majority community will have to unite to ensure safety and stability."

No ‘Katenge-Batenge' in Gadchiroli, Fadnavis Sticks to Farmers & Job Issues

Staying away from the ‘batenge-katenge' remarks, deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis in Gadchiroli focused on issues related to farmers and employment, while also discussing operations being carried out against Naxals on the district borders.

In the tribal-dominated district, Fadnavis addressed a gathering for BJP's Armori candidate Krushna Gajbe. "I have given two 132 KV substations here and will also complete all pending projects so that from next year the district won't face power cuts," he said.

He also said the govt has given crop insurance at a premium of just Rs 1. "Similarly, we are giving Rs12,000 per year to all farmers, and after we win, it will be hiked to Rs15,000," Fadnavis said adding that the govt has also waived off all bills for irrigation pumps and introduced solar pumps so that there will be zero bills. "All pumps will be insured and maintained by us," he said

The Gadchiroli guardian minister also said that farmers will get assured MSP on their crops and the Mahayuti is committed to waiving off farmer loans and clearing 7/12 (from debt liens).

Fadnavis also said that water from the Gosikhurd dam will be brought to Gadchiroli for irrigation. "I have already ordered a survey for this project. We are also undertaking other projects to ensure that the district gets assured drinking water supply for decades," he said.

On employment opportunities, the deputy CM said tribals are being hired in police forces. "We have even lowered the height requirements because genetically tribal youths are short in height even though they are fully fit," he said.

Fadnavis said soon Naxal activity will be a thing of the past in Gadchiroli. "Our C-60 force, police are doing fantastic work here and many Naxals are surrendering."

At Bhadrawati in Chandrapur district, where he addressed a rally for BJP's Warora candidate Karan Deotale, Fadnavis stuck to local issues like land acquisition of farmers, jobs for locals etc.

Fadnavis assured of a Rs 20,000-crore industrial project on land previously acquired for the Nippon Dendro project in Bhadravati. He added that the project would generate 10,000 jobs for local youth and resolve all issues related to land acquisition.

"I am aware that there are issues related to land acquisition when we gave the green signal to Dhindora barrage, but I promise no farmer will face losses. We will take care that all issues are resolved smoothly," he said.

He said for jobs-for-locals, it is important to have BJP legislators in both the centre and state. Chandrapur has major mining projects which offer plenty of job opportunities.