Oppn is demoralising armed forces, benefitting Pak: Modi
At rally in Amethi, PM lays foundation of ordnance factory; shares stage with Bihar CM in Patna
AMETHI/PATNA: Hours after he launched a stinging attack at the opposition parties at a rally in Patna, Prime Minister Narendra Modi targeted the Congress in Rahul Gandhi’s own constituency Amethi. He accused the Congress and its allies of “demoralising security forces” and “benefitting Pakistan”.
The BJP had done more work in the Congress bastion of Amethi than “the candidate who won the 2014 elections” there, the Prime Minister said. Congress president Rahul Gandhi won the 2014 Lok Sabha elections defeated BJP’s candidate Smriti Irani from the Amethi seat.
Earlier in the day in Patna, Modi kickstarted the Bihar election campaign for the NDA with a vicious attack on the Congress and the opposition for “trying to lower the morale of the forces with such statements that suit anti-India elements”. He said the Opposition are solely focused on trying to “finish” him off while he is working to quell terrorism, ensure national security, eradicate poverty and corruption, and generate employment.
“Is it appropriate for these parties to speak in a language that suits Pakistan? Leaders of the
Is it appropriate for these parties to speak in a language that suits Pakistan? Leaders of the neighbouring country are using it as a shield to protect themselves against the charge of promoting terrorism. NARENDRA MODI, Prime Minister
neighbouring country are using it as a shield to protect themselves against the charge of promoting terrorism. They are clapping gleefully,” Modi said.
In Amethi, the PM said, “Amethi is the perfect example of sabka saath, sabka vikas. Those who voted for us and those who didn’t, they are all our people. Smriti Irani was your candidate. Though we could not win, but we won your hearts. In five years, Smriti Irani has done so much for the development of this region. She did more work that the candidate who won the 2014 elections.”
“This ordnance factory is proof how the requirements of our security forces were
ignored,” PM Modi said after dedicating projects worth nearly ₹600 crore to the people of the constituen.
He said, “When your MP laid the foundation stone for the ordnance factory at Korwa in 2007, he said work will begin here from 2010. Nothing happened. Why trust someone who cannot keep his word?”
Modi said the previous government at the Centre could not decide which ordnance to manufacture at the factory in Korwa. “They did not even allocate land for it. The building was finally built in 2013, ahead of the 2014 elections and some work begun. But they still did not manufacture modern rifles here,” the PM said.
Criticising the Congress he said, “They had promised to give jobs to 1,500 people at the factory, but they didn’t keep their promise. They gave jobs to only 200 people and now they are raising questions about employment.”
Modi said, “I am not naming anyone, but you know who I am talking about.”
Meanwhile, earlier in the day at the ‘Sankalp rally’ in Patna’s historic Gandhi Maidan, where he shared political stage with chief minister Nitish Kumar, he attacked Congress over the air strikes against terror bases in Pakistan. “They asked for evidence of surgical strikes, and now they again ask for evidence of air strokes. I want to ask them and other parties supporting the Congress why they are trying to lower the morale of the armed forces. Why do they speak what suits India’s enemies? Pakistan feels happy about it. We need to stand united against terror,” he added.
Modi said the new India would not tolerate those who raised doubts over their own forces and spoke what evoked claps in Pakistan. “Our forces have shown that be it within borders or outside, they were capable of cracking down on terror. Your ‘Chowkidar’ is watchful and anyone having a sinister design will face consequences. New India cannot remain quiet over the sacrifice of its jawans and is taking account of each and everyone. The nation has seen enough of Congres approach towards India’s security,” he added. “It has happened after 50 years. Don’t you feel good and proud of it? In these 50 years, it was mostly the Congress that ruled, and it should answer why it could not ensure India’s presence at the fora,” he added.
He said on his request, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince agreed to release 850 Indian prisoners languishing in jail for some offence. “This is what reaching out to other nations means. Our government constantly strives for people’s welfare, not like Congress which has a habit of forgetting people after vote,” he added.
The PM said that some leaders, whose politics revolved around own or family interest, had just one job at hand - to abuse PM. “They all have united to destroy Modi, while I say let’s all get together to destroy terror, eradicate poverty, wipe out corruption and black money, fight malnutrition, remove filth. The difference is of intent. I want to take the nation to new heights, while they are conniving against me.”