Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party, accusing them of rampant corruption, in his address at a BJP election rally at Pathankot in Punjab.
He said both the parties were two sides of the same coin: "Ek hi thali ke chatte batte hain," he remarked, drawing a loud applause from the huge crowd at the rally.
The Prime Minister, also accused the Congress of belittling and insulting the sacrifices of the soldiers who died during the 2016 Pathankot attack. He said that the country was together in the response to the attack except for the Congress party. "They questioned the government, the people of Punjab and even our army. They belittled the sacrifices of the soldiers," he added.
The PM said that during the anniversary of the 2019 terror attack in Pulwama, the Congress was again doing the same. "Even on Pulwama anniversary, they continue their 'paap leela'," he remarked.
On February 14, 2019, Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group had attacked a convoy of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) at Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, killing 40 personnel of the force.
PM Modi said that according to his feedback Punjab had this time decided to bring 'parivartan' (change) and the BJP alliance was going to form the government. "We see Punjab through the lens of Punjabiat' while the other parties treat the state as a political battleground," he added.
Modi said that it is only the BJP that can provide security to this border state. The state had witnessed a long period of terrorism. The BJP had zero tolerance towards terrorism.
The Prime Minister also talked about the opening up of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor. "Congress governments got three chances to bring Kartarpur Sahib on the Indian side. They missed it in 1947, then in1965, and lastly in 1971 when 90,000 Pak soldiers had surrendered. India should have sought Kartarpur Sahib in exchange for the prisoners of war, he opined.
Modi disclosed that more Sainik Schools would be opened in the country and girls would also be allowed to study there. The NDA government, he said had allowed recruitment of women in the armed forces and increased defence budget by three times.
The Prime Minister also revealed that a new scheme by the name of Vibrant Villages would be launched for the development of the border areas.
PM Modi said that the NDA government was providing free food to millions of countrymen including those in Punjab after Covid had snatched people's livelihoods. "This service gave me immense satisfaction and peace of mind," he said.
Recalling his ties with Pathankot, Modi said that when he used to visit the city as an ordinary worker on a scooter or train, the people used to bring food for him in lunch boxes. "Majha region has given me love like that of a mother," he remembered.
