Decades of neglect under Cong made urban life unbearable: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Monday that life in cities had become unbearable due to lack of development under Congress rule as the party neglected civic issues for decades."Since 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently emphasised that India lives both in villages and cities, and the BJP has worked with equal focus on urban development," Fadnavis asserted while addressing a rally in Jalna for Municipal Corporation (JMC) polls to be held on January 15. Describing Jalna as a "seed and steel city", Fadnavis said that previous governments ignored urban development for nearly 70 years.

Unchecked migration from rural areas increased pressure on civic infrastructure, and Congress-led governments failed to address these challenges, he said. Highlighting key Central and state government initiatives, he said substantial funds have been allocated for drinking water projects and assured that Jalna's water problems would be resolved.

Fadnavis also dismissed the Opposition's claims that the government's flagship 'Ladki Bahin' scheme, providing a monthly assistance of Rs 1,500 to women, would be discontinued. "As long as I am the chief minister, the Ladki Bahin scheme will continue. The scheme aims to make women economically self-reliant. Fifty lakh women have already become 'Lakhpati' and the government's target is to make one crore women financially empowered," Fadnavis said. "Vote for the BJP on January 15, we will take care of you for five years," the CM said while exuding confidence that the mayor would be from his party.