Why opposition wants proof of air strike: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday questioned Congress-led Opposition as to why, instead of boosting the morale of the defence personnel, it wanted proof of Indian Air Force (IAF) strike in PoK.

“By asking for proof of air strike, you (Opposition parties) are doing great disservice to the nation. You are only making Pakistan happy. Earlier also, these leaders had questioned surgical strike…. Instead of helping in wiping out terror, they want to wipe out Modi,” said the PM, while sounding poll bugle here at Gandhi Maidan.

Modi was addressing the gathering at National Democratic Alliance's (NDA )‘Sankalp rally’ in Patna on Sunday where he praised Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and blasted Opposition for not backing him in his fight against terrorism.

“When it was time to stay united, at least 21 Opposition parties gathered in New Delhi to pass a censure motion against the NDA Government in the Centre. ‘Main aatankwaad khatam karna chahta hoon, yeh log Modi ko khatam karna chahte hain’. (I want to wipe out terrorism. They want to wipe out Modi). I want to eradicate poverty. They want to eradicate Modi. My fight is against corruption. Their fight is against Modi,” said the PM, on the similar lines of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. She had said in the 70s, “Main garibi mitana chahti hoon. Aur yeh log Indira ko mitana chahte hain. (I want to eradicate poverty. And they want to eradicate Indira).”

APPEASING MUSLIMS

Flanked by Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan and Nitish, Modi made a bid to appease Muslims when he narrated how he persuaded Saudi Prince to increase the quota for Haj pilgrims. He also said how on his request the Saudi Prince agreed to release 850 Indians lodged in a Saudi jail.

Asking the gathering not to vote for the ‘Maha-milawat wali Sarkar’, a reference to Mahagatbandhan, Modi said a strong Government like NDA regime had been successful in giving gas connections to seven crore subscribers, free medical treatment to 50 crore beneficiaries, provided life insurance to 21 crore people and helped open bank accounts of 35 crore customers.

“I want to make India self-dependent. But the Congress wants ‘self-development’. They are not bothered about India’s growth. All development works initiated by Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Government were stalled by the UPA regime from 2004 to 2014,” said Modi, as crowds cheered on his diatribe against the Opposition.

Nitish, who last addressed a political rally with Modi in Ludhiana (Punjab) in 2009, on Sunday shared the political dais with Modi after a gap of ten years. Paswan too spoke on the occasion.