Prime Minister
Narendra Modi on Thursday called for 'wiping out' the Congress from the country
and said if the party remained in any corner of India, poverty will never
go."Now even the poor people are saying that if the Congress is removed,
we will get rid of poverty. If it remains in any corner of the country, poverty
will also stay," Modi said during an election rally at Rudrapur in
Nainital constituency, as he kicked off the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) poll
campaign in the state.The five Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttarakhand will go
to the polls in the first phase on April 11.Accusing the Congress of betraying
the people, Modi said the party was the main cause for poverty in the
country.Modi claimed the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government
has secured the country by supplying modern weaponry and equipment to the armed
forces, besides launching counter-terrorism strikes at Pakistan's Balakot.The
Congress, on the other hand, was embroiled in scams related to Bofors and VVIP
choppers, Modi said and added, the Congress was sweating now with the
unearthing of fresh evidences in these scams.
Blaming the Congress
for doubting the Indian Air Force (IAF) strikes in Balakot, Modi said their
"chowkidar" (watchman) didn't inherit such values of cowardice.
"Should I remain quiet despite terrorist threats? Will people forgive
those who give anti-national statements just to become a hero in
Pakistan," Modi said.The Prime Minister also asked the Congress why its
"blood did not boil" when the country was under siege during the 2008
Mumbai terror attacks.Warning the enemies of India that he will not be scared,
Modi said: "The message is loud and clear. We will not be scared, but will
stand firm."Modi also accused the Congress of keeping the issue of Rafale
purchase on the back burner for over 10 years because it wanted "kickbacks".
"Instead of providing them with modern weapons, the Congress used to file
cases against the Army chiefs," Modi said.The Prime Minister said
Uttarakhand was moving on the path of development mainly due to his
government's policies and cited examples of "fast-paced" development
in projects like the Rishikesh-Karanprayag rail line, Char Dham all-weather
road and Kedarnath reconstruction works.