Criticise me but don't weaken India: PM Modi attacks Opposition
New Delhi, Mar 2 (IBNS): In a scathing attack on the rival political parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged the Opposition to refrain from making activities which will weaken the country.
Speaking at the India Today Conclave, Modi, who has taken a decisive step against terrorism after Feb 14 Pulwama attack, said: "Opposition parties are welcome to oppose Modi. They can of course criticise the government schemes and their shortcomings but they should not indulge in something which will help the terrorists like Masood Azhar."
Incidentally, Azhar's militant organisation, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), had carried out the Pulwama attack, which had left at least 40 paramilitary personnel martyred.
Though initially the entire Opposition stood by the Indian Army and government, Congress president Rahul Gandhi along with other rival leaders had accused Modi of politicising the Pulwama attack to garner votes in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo, Mamata Banerjee, had even questioned the number of terrorists killed in the surgical strike, which was carried out by the Indian Air Force (IAF) as a retaliation to the terror attack.
The controversy got fuel with former Karnataka Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader BS Yeddyurappa's statement where he said his party will benefit in the forthcoming polls due to the airstrike.
Taking a sharp jibe at Congress, which is the country's main opposition party, the Prime Minister said: "People who ruled the country for long were only interested in doles and deals."
"No economist or policy experts will ever acknowledge farm loan waiver as a long term solution to farm distress. UPA (Congress-led alliance) comes out with farm loan waiver every 10 years. We have launched PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, which is a comprehensive scheme for farmers' welfare. We do not make deal or dole," Modi added opposing the farm loan waiver issue which handed over victories to Congress in three states- Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh- in recent times.
The scheme, which was introduced by the BJP government in this year's budget, is aimed to benefit farmers with Rs. 6000 per year in three installments.
Staying away from taking jibe at the United Opposition, which has taken a backseat in last few weeks, Modi targeted mainly the Congress which has been accused of not taking important policy decisions due to alleged corruption.
He said: "In our tenure, the corridors of power are also free from middlemen because this govt will never tolerate any corruption."
"Why did it take so long to make the National War Memorial? Why toilets were not built for so long? Why river water was not clean?" the Prime Minister questioned.
Almost giving an election speech, Modi said his government, which came to power in 2014 with a landslide majority after 10 years, is working on an express speed to eradicate poverty.
Modi, who is the front-runner of BJP's poll campaign, also questioned the Congress for not paying attention to the northeastern part of the country, where the BJP has established its supremacy since 2014.
The upcoming General Elections is scheduled to be held by May.
Image Credit: BJP Twitter
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