Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a campaign rally in Jharkhand’s Lohardaga, invoked the recent Sri Lanka Easter attacks – that claimed the lives of 359 people – to assert that India, too, had been going through a ‘similar phase’ before he came to power in 2014.
“You would have seen how terrorists, a couple of days back, attacked Churches and other locations in Sri Lanka on the holy day of Easter. Before 2014, India too was going through a similar phase,” the prime minister said, as per ANI.
Reiterating that safety of Indians everywhere is his responsibility, Modi said that his government has always worked to protect the ‘country’s daughters’.
"When 46 nurses were held captive in Iraq, we did our best to get our daughters back. When Kolkata's Judith D'Souza was kidnapped in Afghanistan, we rescued her. This chowkidaar is always concerned about the safety of the country's daughters," he claimed. he added, as per PTI.
In a scathing attack on Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy for his alleged remark on the armed forces, Modi also said those who believe that the poor join the army to make ends meet should drown to death.
‘Opposition Has No Option But To Accept Defeat’
Lashing out at Opposition parties that claimed the EVMs were being manipulated, Modi said that the 'mahamilawatis' have realised they stand no chance after three phases of elections and are looking for excuses to defend their poor show.
He added that Opposition parties have no option left but to accept defeat.
At a press meet on Tuesday, leaders of several major Opposition parties raised doubt over the credibility of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), renewing their demand for verification of the machines.
“Just like a child who makes excuses to justify his under-performance in exams, Opposition parties have started directing their anger on the EVMs and the voting process for their shortfalls,” he said.
Hitting out at the Congress, the prime minister said the "party that ended up shedding tears when Pakistan threatened India is eyeing the seat in Delhi".
Expressing gratitude to the people of Jharkhand, who turned up in large numbers for Tuesday's roadshow in the state capital, Modi said, "The response that I received in Ranchi was overwhelming. I was touched. It wasn't a planned programme. The state unit of BJP requested me for the show only two days ago and I am glad that agreed to the proposal.".
(With inputs from ANI, PTI)
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