Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emerged as a significant figure rallying for development and investment in Madhya Pradesh during his address at the Global Investors Summit, held in Bhopal. Speaking on the first day of the summit, Modi emphasized the state's potential for becoming one of the top five states in India based on GDP performance. He pointed out the prominence of the textiles and tourism industries as pivotal sectors for employment generation, highlighting Madhya Pradesh's status as the country's cotton capital.
Modi noted, "The textile sector in India employs crores of people. Madhya Pradesh is, in a way, India’s cotton capital. Around 25 percent of India’s organic cotton supply originates from here." He also mentioned the popularity of Chanderi and Maheshwari sarees, which have secured Geographical Indication tags, underscoring the cultural significance intertwined with economic potential. The Prime Minister introduced multiple incentives, including the establishment of large textile parks, one of which is claimed to be under construction in Madhya Pradesh.
Reflecting on environmental developments, Modi reported substantial growth within the electric vehicle sector, stating, "By January 2025, around 2 lakh electric vehicles have been registered in MP, reflecting nearly 90 percent growth." He took pride in the infrastructural advancement of the state's railways, noting the complete electrification of its rail network. Modi articulated the importance of the roadways, which span over 5 lakh kilometers, significantly contributing to the logistics and transport sectors.
Addressing the state's energy capabilities, Modi labeled Madhya Pradesh as a "power surplus state" and remarked on the creation of over 10 lakh jobs within the clean energy domain. He specified, "Thirty percent of the state’s power generation capacity of around 31,000 megawatts is clean energy." This shift toward sustainable energy is aligned with the central government’s broader ambitions concerning renewable sources.
During his address, Modi credited the achievements to the joint efforts of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governments at both the central and state levels, stating, "The central government is working shoulder-to-shoulder with Madhya Pradesh for the state’s — and India’s — development." He pointedly contrasted the state’s current development streak with prior governance, reflecting on improvements since the election of the new Mohan Yadav administration.
On another front, during his rally addressing the political dynamics of Bihar, Modi took aim at the opposition, particularly the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), making strong comments surrounding the Maha Kumbh event currently taking place. He derided the RJD’s Lalu Prasad Yadav, associatively citing "jungle raj" to describe governance under his leadership.
Modi stated emphatically, "Those who got rattled by Ram Mandir are now abusing Maha Kumbh,” referring to the cultural and religious significance of the event. His remarks were reactions to Lalu's criticisms calling the Maha Kumbh "useless" and attributing blame to the Railway Ministry for mismanagement leading to deadly incidents during such gatherings.
Alluding to the pervasive support for the Kumbh from the public, he quipped, "People more than the population of the entire Europe have taken a dip in the Kumbh." This statement was aimed at highlighting the grand scale of participation and reinforcing the unity embodied by the event.
While the cultural festivities unfolded, Modi seized the opportunity to call out opposition leaders who he believed lacked respect for Hindu traditions, asserting, "Those with a slave mentality keep attacking the Hindu faith." He described the Kumbh as not just a religious gathering but as symbolic of national integrity and pride.
The political climate leading up to the assembly elections continues to deepen as Modi holds frequent rallies with Bihar’s Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, signaling the NDA's collective commitment to governance. Acknowledging the recent criticisms from opposition leaders, such as Mamata Banerjee and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Modi maintained, "Everyone is naturally awestruck by this grand event, which will continue to inspire future generations as a symbol of unity."
Modi's activities this week signal the government's strategic dual focus on economic development through investments and showcasing cultural heritage, leveraging both fields to consolidate voter sentiment and bolster unity among supporters marking their territories as the political tide builds ahead of anticipated elections.