Modi brings up Godhra train burning at poll rally in Bihar
Without naming RJD chief Lalu Prasad, Prime Minister blames him for protecting those who were responsible for the death of 60 kar sevaks in 2002; also makes a reference to Sonia Gandhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for the rst time, raised the Godhra issue during the Lok Sabha election campaign at a rally in Bihar on Saturday.
Targeting Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad, Mr. Modi blamed him for protecting those who were responsible for the Godhra train burning in 2002.
Without mentioning the name of Mr. Prasad who was the Railway Minister in the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government from 2004, Mr. Modi said, “He had tried to shield those who were responsible for the Godhra train burning in which more than 60 kar sevaks were burnt alive. Was it not during the reign of Sonia [Gandhi] madam?”
Mr. Modi was then the Chief Minister of Gujarat.
‘Bogus report’
At a rally in support of BJP candidate Gopal Ji Thakur in Darbhanga, Mr. Modi recalled the Banerjee Commission, headed by a retired judge of the Supreme Court, that was tasked with a probe into the train burning.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Ashwini Choubey during a public meeting in Darbhanga.
Mr. Modi alleged that under pressure, the commission submitted a “bogus report” to set free those responsible for the carnage and put the blame on kar sevaks. However, the court did not go with the report and people responsible for the carnage were punished, the Prime Minister said.
In Jharkhand, the Prime Minister made an attack on the Congress and its leaders while addressing public meetings in Palamu and Gumla.
He said a strong nation
required a strong leader, and the Congress would cry in front of other nations when Pakistan used to attack India.
“There was a time when the cowardly Congress government used to go around the world and cry after a terrorist attack. However, today Pakistan is crying all over the world. The Pakistani leaders are praying to make shehzada [prince] of the Congress the Prime Minister of India. A strong India wants a strong government and for a strong government, we need a Modi government,” the Prime Minister said.
He said he adopted a tough stance against terrorism after becoming the PM and Pakistan was left shaken by the surgical strike.
Lashing out at the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha ( JMM) and its alliance partner Congress, Mr. Modi alleged that leaders of both parties have accumulated immense wealth through corruption.
Dynasty politics
“Be it property or politics, they are acquiring everything for their children. They will leave behind a lot of black money as a legacy for them. I have lived a life in poverty and only someone who has seen poverty and lived a life of su¦ering can understand the tears of poor people,” Mr. Modi said.
Without naming JMM leader and former Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who is in jail in an alleged money laundering case, Mr. Modi said “those who looted Jharkhand are being prosecuted under law”.
The rallies were held in support of BJP candidates V.D. Raman and Sameer Oraon from Palamu and Lohardaga Lok Sabha seats respectively.