Amit Shah Launches Scathing Attack on Congress Over Puducherry Corruption
Union Home Minister Amit Shah delivered a powerful critique of the previous Congress administration in Puducherry on Monday, alleging that systemic corruption under former Chief Minister V Narayanasamy had severely hindered the Union territory's progress. Campaigning vigorously for NDA candidates in Mannadipet, Shah pointed to damning Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports that exposed significant financial irregularities.
Corruption Scandals and Economic Impact
Shah specifically highlighted two major scandals: medical seat allocation scams and a massive Rs 15,000 crore fraud involving the Centralised Admission Committee (Centac). He emphasized that the funds lost to these corrupt practices were staggering, equivalent to nearly three years of Puducherry's entire annual budget. "This money could have transformed infrastructure, healthcare, and education across the territory," Shah stated, underscoring the opportunity cost of the alleged malfeasance.
NDA's Economic Achievements and Future Roadmap
Contrasting the Congress era with the current NDA governance, Shah presented compelling economic data. He claimed that the unemployment rate in Puducherry had plummeted from a concerning 47% to an impressive 4.3% under NDA leadership. This dramatic improvement was attributed to successful job fairs and targeted employment initiatives for the youth.
Looking forward, Shah unveiled an ambitious development blueprint:
- Transforming Puducherry into a premier IT and industrial destination: Plans include establishing a major Information Technology hub to leverage the region's existing export capacity of three lakh laptops annually.
- Reviving dormant industries: The long-inactive Ariyur and Lingareddypalayam sugar mills will be rejuvenated through innovative private-public partnership (PPP) models.
- Boosting the rural economy: Significant increases in financial assistance for fishermen (from Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,000 monthly) and farmers (from Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,000 annually), along with providing free livestock to women in agriculture.
Political Contrasts and Election Dynamics
Shah did not miss the opportunity to criticize opposition leaders, particularly taking aim at Rahul Gandhi's recent comments on fuel prices. He remarked that Gandhi appeared to be "living in a dream world" by comparing Indian petrol prices with those in Pakistan. "Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, India has maintained price stability despite global economic crises," Shah asserted.
He further contrasted the unity within the NDA alliance with the disarray in the opposition INDIA bloc, noting that in Puducherry alone, INDIA constituents are contesting against each other in five different constituencies. With polling scheduled for April 9, high-profile visits by Modi, Gandhi, and Shah have intensified the political spotlight on Puducherry, making it one of the most closely watched territories in the current election cycle.
The Home Minister's address combined sharp political criticism with detailed policy promises, setting the stage for a contentious electoral battle in the Union territory.
