Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned political opponents for exploiting the West Asia conflict to incite public disorder, while touting national unity and infrastructure security.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, addressed a large gathering in Nani village, located in the newly created Vav Tharad district. He sharply criticized the Congress party, accusing them of acting as "vultures of politics" by attempting to exploit the ongoing West Asia conflict.
During his speech, the Prime Minister alleged that opposition leaders are deliberately spreading rumors to trigger panic among citizens regarding fuel availability. He asserted that this strategy aims to incite people to queue at fuel pumps and create public disorder, thereby destabilizing the nation during a time that requires unity. While global events have intensified energy challenges, Narendra Modi stated that India has successfully managed the situation through strong foreign policy and collective citizen strength.
The Prime Minister's address specifically targeted the alleged "rumour-mongering" by political rivals, who he claimed are waiting for domestic troubles to escalate so they can reap political dividends. He contrasted India's stability with the war, unrest, and instability engulfing many other nations. Although difficulties regarding diesel, petrol, and gas requirements have intensified globally, India has shielded its population from the worst impacts. Modi pointed out that fuel prices have surged between 10% and 25% in many other countries, yet India has maintained control.
He argued that the Congress party finds this successful management intolerable and is actively trying to spread anarchy to score political points. By manufacturing fear, opposition leaders aim to cause chaos, forcing citizens into panic at petrol pumps and gas agencies to exploit the resulting disorder for propaganda. Modi described the party as desperate to stay politically relevant after being out of power, labeling their actions as a political conspiracy unfolding at the forefront of the crisis.
Beyond addressing political rhetoric, the Prime Minister focused heavily on national security and development achievements. He directed his criticism at the previous Congress-led governments at the Centre, blaming them for delaying the development of the Deesa airbase. This project, situated merely 130 kilometers from the international border, is described as strategically critical.
Modi noted that when he first arrived at the location, his aircraft landed directly at the Deesa airbase, a site that has seen significant transformation. The project was conceptualized during his tenure as Gujarat chief minister, where farmers willingly contributed their land. However, the Prime Minister claimed the initiative remained stuck for years due to the "attitude and approach" of the Delhi government. He stated that even a project concerning national security lagged and got buried within bureaucratic files until the current government came to power, gaining momentum only thereafter.
A massive Air Force base has now been established in Deesa. Modi emphasized that this is not merely an airstrip but serves as a catalyst for regional development and strengthens India's western frontier. He warned that the nation will never forgive Congress for displaying utter apathy towards national security while the party was in power. This infrastructure milestone underscores the administration's commitment to securing the western border, which is increasingly significant given the global geopolitical shifts.
On this occasion, marking his maiden visit to the region after Vav Tharad was carved out as a separate district from Banaskantha in October 2025, the Prime Minister laid foundation stones and inaugurated development projects totaling ₹19,806.9 crore. The funding includes ₹10,921 crore under Union Ministries and ₹8,886 crore under Gujarat Government departments.
Among the key initiatives, projects worth ₹3,645 crore linked to the Khavda Renewable Energy Park in Kutch were inaugurated. This project aims to integrate large-scale renewable energy into the national grid, further strengthening India's energy security and positioning the country as a future world leader in the renewable energy sector. In the road sector, foundation stones were laid for the Idar-Badoli bypass and the Dholavira-Santalpur stretch, while multiple packages of the Ahmedabad-Dholera corridor were officially inaugurated.
Railway projects worth ₹891 crore were also launched, including the Himmatnagar-Khedbrahma broad gauge line and track expansion works in Kutch and Saurashtra. Additionally, the Prime Minister flagged off the Khedbrahma-Himmatnagar-Asarva train, marking improved rail connectivity in the region. These developments collectively demonstrate a push to modernize infrastructure while ensuring energy and security resilience.
The Deesa airbase transformation represents a critical pivot in India's strategic capabilities, turning a delayed project into a formidable asset. As the nation continues to navigate the ripple effects of the West Asia conflict, the acceleration of this base ensures a robust defense posture on the western front. Future assessments suggest that the region will likely see increased economic activity and enhanced connectivity, driven by the dual benefits of improved defense logistics and renewable energy integration at Khavda. The Prime Minister's focus on unblocking bureaucratic hurdles indicates a sustained commitment to fast-tracking national security projects that were previously stalled, setting a precedent for rapid infrastructure deployment in response to global threats.
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