We stand for development, not dynasties, says PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi started his election campaign by addressing a massive rally in Meerut on Thursday. More than highlighting the efforts taken by his government in the last five years, he used the occasion to attack the Opposition for alleged corruption and “promoting” terrorism.

He invoked the memory of Charan Singh and said there’s a reason why he chose Meerut to launch the poll campaign. “The first war for independence started from here,” he said. To woo the Jat community, he said his government implemented 10 per cent reservation for the upper caste in government jobs.

Maintaining that he is a chowkidar , he said he will expose the Opposition’s activities too. “At our side, the campaign is based on the steps we have taken to develop the country. On their side, one cannot find a leadership, policies and a vision. We stand for development and they stand for dynasties,” he added. “India’s culture is on one side and dynastic politics and corruption are on the other. Chowkidar is on one side and a group of tainted people are on the other side,” the Prime Minister said.

He said it is for the first time that the country saw a decisive government that fulfilled all its promises. “This chowkidar’s government showed how to conduct surgical strike on the ground, in the air and in the space,” he added.

He said, during the tenure of the previous coalition government, punishment against terrorism was based on the religious identity of the terrorist. Personally targeting BSP’s candidate in Meerut Haji Yakub Qureshi, he said the grand coalition’s candidate offered prize money for terrorists.

Modi was referring to a news report of 2015 that said Qureshi offered prize money to terrorists who attacked Paris. Qureshi had rubbished such reports.

Creating an acronym for the SP-BSP combine, Modi said Samajwadi Party’s sa , RL’s r a and the BSP’s ba , will be sarab (liquor) for Uttar Pradesh and urged voters to stay away from the alliance to keep Uttar Pradesh healthy. He said the leaders of the alliance are more popular in Pakistan for seeking “evidences” for the actions against terrorism.

Congress retorts

The Congress retorted by saying that such statements will not add any glory to the post of PM. “People will reject people who do not respect democracy,” Congress spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala said.

SP President Akhilesh Yadav said Modi’s tele-prompted speech was full of hatred towards opponents.

BSP supremo Mayawati said the PM should have also given the details on the black money stashed abroad and the promise of giving ₹15 lakh to each citizen.

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