PM raps Cong for ‘ignoring’ cross-border terror
JAMUI: Accusing the previous Congress governments of failing to effectively deal with cross-border terrorism from Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said this gave rise to the perception that India was a weak and poor target.
Addressing an election rally at Jamui, Modi also mocked the INDIA bloc, saying those who used to demand jail terms for each other in corruption cases had come together “in the name of fighting against Modi”.
“The Congress and the RJD (INDIA bloc ally) had given the country such a bad name. The world used to think we are a weak and poor nation. Terrorists from small countries, which are struggling to maintain their supplies of wheat, used to strike at will. The Congress governments did little except seeking intervention from other powerful nations,” he alleged. The acerbic remark was an indirect reference to the US intervention sought by the UPA government after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, which Modi, then the Gujarat chief minister, was highly critical of.
“Ours is an ancient country which has had powerful kingdoms like Magadh and legendary emperors like Chandragupta Maurya. Now, the world beholds a new India, which gives a befitting reply to the enemy on its own soil,” he said.
The Modi government prides itself on the military retaliations to the terror attacks in Uri and Pulwama, which were a major poll plank for the BJP-led NDA in the 2019 general elections.
“The world watches in amazement as our global standing undergoes a sea change. We are able to defend ourselves. Our advice is sought by the world in important matters. We are the fifth largest economy, have launched a successful lunar mission and were applauded for holding the G20 summit,” he said. “But, you all are mistaken if you think all this was made possible by Modi. It was made possible by your vote,” said the prime minister, who termed his achievements in the last 10 years as a trailer.
Modi, who addressed his first election rally in Bihar, also lambasted the Congress-RJD combine for “opposing the construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya and continuing to heap scorn on the shrine”.