PM exhorts people to free HP from clutches of ‘five demons’
KANGRA/SIRMAUR: Prime Minister Na rend ra Mo dion Thursday ridiculed the Congress, saying that it symbolises “corruption, communalism, and casteism”.
Modi, who hit the campaign trail in Himachal on Thursday, addressed election rallies in Kangra and Sirmaur.
At a gathering in Fatehpur in Kangra district, he asked the people to throw out the regime that “looted them”. “Time has come to get rid of the five demons — mining mafia, forest mafia, drug mafia, tender mafia, and transfer mafia — which thrived under Congress rule here,” said Modi. Citing a mythological story, Modi said, “Like the life of a demon was safe in a parrot, the lives of these five demons was in the EVM button. Press the right button and kill the demon,” he said. “You have the opportunity to bid farewell to those who have looted you.”
Sharpening his attack on the Congress, Modi said the party has the audacity to talk of zero tolerance on corruption in the manifesto even when its chief minister (Virbhadra Singh) is out on bail in a graft case.
“Congress should introspect on why a forgiving country like India is out to punish its leaders one by one,” said Modi.
Taking a dig at Congress vicepresident Rahul Gandhi, Modi said ,“A person whose grandfather, mother and father had been PMs doesn’t believe in government, army and people of India.”
Striking an emotional chord with the audience, Modi said he is attached to the people of hill state. “I know you have decided to make the BJP government in Himachal. Our aim is not to form a government but to make a magnificent and divine Himachal,” he said.
In Dhaulakuan in Sirmaur, the PM termed the Congress a ‘laughing club’ with no leaders who can think and sympathise with the common man. “Congress has done PhD in telling lies and cheating people ... teach them alessonsothatno party infuture dare what they have done,” he said.
In his 50-minute speech, the PM referred to schemes for defence personnel, demo net isati on and government crack down against corruption and said those opposing him were the ones who got benefitted from illgotten money in the past. “Do you think, they will garland me ,” Modi asked amidst cheers from the crowd.
The rally was organised on the ground where an IIM is to come up and the PM also made a mention of it in his speech stating that very soon the youth brigade from this college would make the state proud. Party leaders said the venue was chosen after lots of deliberations as talks for PM’s visit for foundation laying ceremony was underway for over a year now. Modi is apparently the first Prime Minister to have held an election rally in Sirmaur, a Congress stronghold that fares poorly on development.