Modi attacks 'builder mafia' at Kharghar rally

NAVI MUMBAI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the builders' mafia in the real estate business and its alleged links with some of the politicians from the Congress and NCP parties while speaking at the political rally in Kharghar, Raigad district, on Wednesday.


"Prior to 2014, the builder mafia had spread out in the real estate business, and the Congress and NCP are still trying to wash off the dirty stains of this mafia.

We (BJP) will show no mercy for this builders' mafia and their links with some politicians. We are cleaning up the real estate business through laws like RERA so that the common people get the benefits,'' stated Modi.

Without taking any names of politicians who may have been linked to the builders' mafia in the past, Modi also assured that over 2 lakh affordable homes will be constructed in Maharashtra for the poor and middle-class group of people. "We (BJP) will only support the clean developers and builders in order to have a good real estate economy. As far as the (builders') mafia is concerned, it will not be 'maaf' (forgiven) but will soon be 'saaf' (cleaned and wiped out) by our government,'' said Modi amidst cheers and applause from the crowds.

Modi also touched upon the topic of rain water harvesting in order to solve the problem of drinking water. ``The rainwater that falls on your terraces must be captured and stored, otherwise if will simply drain out and go back in the sea. By the year 2022, the state of Maharashtra has promised to maximize rainwater harvesting to fully resolve the issue of drinking water,'' said the prime minister.

In his 25-minutes long speech during the hot October afternoon, Modi also spoke about the 'blue economy' related to fishing, sea transport and other such business. "The fishermen along the coast in the Konkan region and other areas will get easy loans from the banks in order to improvise their sea-related activities and business. The blue economy will be the new India 's new identity.''

However, in this regard, Modi also cautioned the public to completely stop using the single-use plastic bags and other such products as these further pollute the seas and oceans, eventually affecting the marine sea creatures. "If the sea creatures are safe (from plastic), then our blue economy is also safe and good. We will also be constructing jetties, sea links and ferry services to improve water transportation,'' said Modi.

While appreciating the efforts made by the Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for the state's progress, Modi said in his now familiar oratory: "In Delhi you have put Narendra, while in Mumbai, you have chosen Devendra! This Narendra-Devendra formula is super hit. We will together take Maharashtra and India forward to achieve new heights,'' said the prime minister. He also elaborated that in the next five years, there will be investments worth over Rs 100 lakh crore in Maharashtra for the purpose of infrastructure development, which includes the Metro and other modern infrastructure; which will also further ensure new job opportunities.