Prime Minister Narendra Modi flags off various developmental projects to boost tourism and infrastructure in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat.
| Photo Credit: ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (October 31, 2026) attacked the Opposition, saying it had turned into “avrodh paksh [obstructive side]” rather than “virodh paksh [opposing side]”, and underscored that the country needs to stay united.
Also read | PM Modi offers floral tributes to Sardar Patel at Statue of Unity
He was addressing a gathering at the Parade Ground in Gujarat’s Ekta Nagar on the occasion of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, marking the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
“It is our misfortune that the Opposition has turned into avrodh paksh,” Mr. Modi said.
In a veiled reference to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s foreign trips, the Prime Minister asked, “Who is secretly meeting whom in foreign countries? Forces opposed to India are extending their support to whom? Who is speaking the language of India’s enemies?”
He said the nation needs to stand united against such forces and alleged that the Opposition wants to divide the people of the country.
‘Dimagi Naxals’
“Social media is being used as a weapon, rumours are being spread, and India’s image is being tarnished,” he alleged.
“I said last year that we would not rest until the country was free from Naxalism and Maoism; that promise has been fulfilled. Though we have finished Naxals, the threat of ‘dimagi (intellectual) Naxals’ remains very high,” Mr. Modi said.
He told the gathering that India’s next big steps include completely securing the country’s borders, stopping infiltration and demographic changes, and moving towards a secular civil code.
“Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (One India, Best India) and Viksit Bharat are our two goals,” he said, adding that the country is proceeding on the path shown by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, he said.
New projects launched
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister inaugurated 23 development projects worth ₹307.83 crore to boost tourism and civic infrastructure at Ekta Nagar. He also laid the foundation stones for eight development projects worth ₹118.88 crore, taking the total outlay for the 31 projects to ₹426.71 crore.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Modi paid floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Statue of Unity to mark his birth anniversary.
Newly launched projects aim to upgrade visitor facilities and civic infrastructure around the world’s tallest statue, which has developed into a major tourism hub.
The major tourism attractions inaugurated by the Prime Minister include an Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) hotel built at a cost of ₹50 crore, the Ekta Cruise (₹16 crore), a rainforest attraction (₹14.30 crore), and an eco-trail costing ₹3.67 crore.
Published – October 31, 2026 01:43 pm IST
