PM exhorts people to free HP from clutches of ‘five demons’

CAMPAIGN TRAIL Modi criticises mafia rule in the state, says Cong symbolises corruption

REHAN (KANGRA): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday ridiculed the Congress, saying that it symbolises “corruption, communalism, and casteism”.

Modi, who hit the campaign trail in Himachal on Thursday, was addressing an election rally at Rehan in Fatehpur assembly segment of Kangra district.

Calling on the people to throw out the regime that “looted them”, Modi said, “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”.

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.

Mindful of the state's high rate of enlistment in the armed forces, Modi said that everyday a soldier from Himachal laid down his life in the service of nation in Kashmir. “And a Congress leader endorses greater autonomy for the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said in a veiled attack on former finance minister P Chidambram.

Modi said that the BJP’S “Congress-mukt Bharat” is a mass awareness campaign to uproot the “rotten thinking” the grand old party now symbolises.

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 people, Modi said, “Our aim is not to form a government but to make a magnificent and divine Himachal.”

PTI PHOTO PM Narendra Modi, with Mahant Swami Maharaj, at Akshardham in Gandhinagar on Thursday. During his twohour stay at the event attended by 25,000 devotes, Modi offered prayers and also watched a light and sound show with CM Vijay Rupani.