We are fighting polls to punish terrorists, Cong to give them free hand: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 6 said only a strong government can punish terrorists and achieve development, and alleged the Congress and its allies were fighting the elections to give a free hand to terrorists.

Addressing a poll rally at Hathuad in Balod district of Chhattisgarh, Modi also said the “naamadar” (dynast) of the Congress party had to run away to find a “safe” seat. The Congress president is contesting the Lok Sabha polls from two seats — Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi and Kerala’s Wayanad.

“When the government is strong, the country does not sit quiet after a terror attack. Didn’t you feel proud when the country punished perpetrators of terror,” the Prime Minister told the audience. The Congress and its allies were contesting the Lok Sabha elections to “give a free hand (khuli chhuth) to terrorists and separatists” while the BJP was in the fray to “punish terrorists and separatists for their sins”, he said. “Do you want a government of chowkidar or a procession of corrupt (Bhrastachariyon ki baraat),” he asked the gathering.

Modi has often referred to himself as the country’s ‘chowkidar’ (watchman) protecting its interest within and outside India. “When there is a strong government there is surgical strike and air strike and the world listens to us,” said Modi. Calling the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act a “suraksha kavach” (armour) of the armed forces, he slammed the Congress over its manifesto promise to review the act. Saying the Congress’ “naamdar” family was out on bail, Modi alleged their intentions were not good and that they “take bribe” even in a helicopter purchase deal. He also accused the Congress of betraying the farmers of Chhattisgarh with a false assurance of loan waiver.