10 takeaways from Modi’s Guntur speech; here’s how PM struck chord with people of Andhra

Guntur: Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Guntur to address an election rally. From taking on Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu for his dynasty politics to inaugurating a slew of projects for the state, Modi used the platform to leave a long-lasting effect on the people of Andhra Pradesh.

Here are the takeaways from the Prime Minister's speech at Guntur.

1. Modi started his speech in Telugu, struck a chord with Telugu people 

The best way to build a rapport with people is to talk to them in the language they are most comfortable with. PM Modi did just that! He began his speech in Telugu and did not forget to invoke poet Gurram Jashuva, freedom fighter Vavilala Gopalakrishna and Nayudamma, an expert in medical science. Such an invocation of the local leaders (all three hailed from Guntur) will help create that feeling of belongingness and bonding, both of which are crucial for upcoming elections.

2. Turning stones into milestones, the Modi way!

Modi was greeted with ‘Modi Go Back’ posters when he made his entry into Andhra Pradesh. But not the one to be deterred by the protests, Modi used the same slogan tactfully when he said: “I will go back to my position in the next elections”. Obviously such usage of situations and statements to his advantage is a trait and tenet that Modi is blessed with.

2. Modi exposes AP CM Chandrababu Naidu on his seniority

Moments after he landed, Modi was at his oratorical best. Taking a jibe at Naidu, Modi successfully cornered him by saying he backstabbed his own father-in-law NT Rama Rao, and though a senior, Naidu was using his position to praise and persecute the same person in a matter of minutes!

7. PM inaugurates a slew of Central government projects

The Prime Minister inaugurated as many as three key Central government projects namely laying foundation for the coastal installation (Krishnapatnam), strategic crude oil storage facility (Visakhapatnam) and S1 Vasishta development project (Amalapuram). The slew of inaugurations in one fell swoop – from none other than the PM himself – helps in driving home the point that Modi is one who just doesn’t talk but also walks the talk and means business.

8. Modi leaves an ‘Amaravati’ image!

Amaravati is a city that the citizens of Andhra take pride in. The city, steeped in history, is known to have its own legislation around 2,200 years ago itself! Now coming to the present day, PM Modi has declared Amaravati to be a heritage city under the Hriday scheme. Such a declaration and granting of funds to the heritage city will increase the bonding with the locals and the Centre. This will also help demolish the thought that Modi has a recalcitrant attitude for the state.

9. Guntur, the Oxford of Andhra

When a national leader speaks, it is imperative that he localises the global content or in simple words, glocalises it to make his way into the hearts of the people. PM did just that! Using the fame that Guntur has earned as being ‘the Oxford of Andhra Pradesh’, the PM confidently and smoothly expressed that Guntur was in his scheme of things and he would do more than needful to help it prosper. Moreover, when he said Guntur attracts people from all over the country, it was a proclamation that Guntur has been put on the national map for its educational and academic prowess.

10. ‘Not Congress-mukt, but Congress-dost’

Modi has always been a strident critic of the Congress party, exhorting the people to rid the country of the grand old party of India. Today, at the rally, Modi took this as an opportunity to lambast Naidu, who has unequivocally extended his hand as a mark of friendship with the Congress. With the clever use of words ‘Dost’ and ’Mukt’, Modi conveniently relegated Naidu’s idea of joining hands with the Congress. You could also see the oblique reference to the Mahagathbandhan.

Modi was on a whirlwind tour of the south Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. With elections on his mind, Modi will certainly mince no words or miss out on an opportunity to gather political brownie points and help swing tides in favour of the BJP.