Will be more tough on corruption: Modi

Seeking “blessings” of the people for the Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said his government would be “more tough” on corruption and ensure that all those involved in “plundering” the country were jailed if his party BJP is voted to power for the second consecutive term.

He was interacting with people across the country under his ‘main bhi chowkidar’ campaign through live telecast of the event at a newly launched NaMo TV and various social media platforms from Talkatora stadium here.

He said five years of his government went into strengthening the government machinery and fulfilling “the basic necessities” like toilets, electricity, roads, transport facilities among others.

“Fulfilling and addressing the aspirations of the people will be the focus in the next five years. We will take the country to new heights. We will make India a 5 trillion dollar economy. Farmers income will be doubled. There are many such dreams. Only your blessings are required,” he said.

Modi was replying to a first-time voter from Arunachal Pradesh who wanted to know why she should support him and vote for the BJP in 2019 elections.

“Those who have plundered the country will have to return every penny. From 2014 to 2019, I brought such people to the gates of the prison. While some of them are on bail, others are seeking a date for the hearing of their case. It requires more time to put them in jail,” he said, in a veiled reference to Congress president Rahul Gandhi and others facing court cases.

With the Congress promising a minimum annual income of Rs 72,000 the poorest 20 % among the poor if voted to power in the elections, Modi cautioned people against paying any heed to the grand old party’s assurance.

He asked the people to look at the “track record” of the Congress, saying four generations of the Nehru-Gandhi family promised to eradicate poverty but did nothing.

“The first prime minister (Jawaharlal Nehru) gave slogan to eradicate poverty, his daughter (Indira Gandhi) carried forward both poverty and the slogan, the daughter’s son (Rajiv Gandhi) also did the same thing. Then came the widow (Sonia Gandhi) of the son (Rajiv Gandhi) who followed suit while running this country through remote control. Now their prince (Rahul) is also doing the same thing,” he said.

Modi ridiculed those asking questions about the Balakot air strike, saying it was shameful that people who are wise are discussing it.