Junagadh, April 13 (NationPress) The President of Gujarat's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Jagdish Vishwakarma, criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday, asserting that he cannot grasp the hardships of rural poverty or the plight of mothers exposed to smoke from traditional 'chulhas' (stoves) as he campaigns for local body elections in Junagadh district.

Speaking at the 'Vikas Sankalp Sabha' meetings, Vishwakarma remarked that Rahul Gandhi, whose familial ties trace back to Italy, lacks the ability to connect with the realities faced by villagers.

He further accused the Congress party of having kept Gujarat in a state of deprivation for years and trying to tarnish the image of Gujarat and its citizens.

Vishwakarma referenced comments made by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, stating, "The electorate of Gujarat will retaliate against this insult through their votes in the forthcoming election."

Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, he claimed, "the nation and Gujarat are achieving unprecedented levels of progress."

He highlighted that the Narmada dam project, which had been stalled for years, was greenlit within 17 days after Modi assumed the role of Prime Minister, thus realizing Sardar Patel's vision.

Discussing agricultural concerns, Vishwakarma mentioned a Rs 10,000 crore relief package announced during a period of excessive and unseasonal rainfall, along with the procurement of crops worth Rs 15,000 crore at support prices. He noted that ministers and party members stood alongside farmers, providing direct benefits through the Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme and fertilizer subsidies.

On agricultural policies, he stated, "Over 10 lakh farmers have embraced natural farming thanks to efforts from Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, with their produce set to be linked to global markets via Amul."

He added that under the Kisan Suryoday Yojana, initiatives are underway to deliver daytime electricity for agriculture in 16,000 villages.

Regarding water supply and infrastructure, Vishwakarma pointed out that there was a time when women had to carry water on their heads, but now, thanks to schemes like Sauni Yojana and tap connections, water has been made accessible in homes.

He also mentioned that Gujarat holds the top position in rooftop solar installations, with over 10 lakh households benefiting, resulting in reduced electricity costs for residents.

Vishwakarma criticized opposition parties for their lack of electoral readiness, asserting, "Congress and other parties do not have complete candidate lists and will fail to mislead the people of Gujarat."

He urged voters to "secure a resounding victory" for BJP candidates in the upcoming district panchayat, taluka panchayat, and municipal elections scheduled for April 26.