Congress In Power During 26/11, But Questions BJP Govt's Surgical Strikes, Says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an election rally in Rajasthan said that the Congress was in power in Centre at the time of 26/11 terror attacks that took place in Mumbai, but the Grand Old Party questioned the BJP-led Modi government over surgical strikes.

The prime minister was addressing an election rally in Bhilwara area of Rajasthan on the tenth anniversary of the 26/11 terror strike when 10 Pakistani terrorists sneaked into Mumbai, killing 166 people over 60 hours.

In a broadside against former Congress president and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, he said New Delhi was at the time being governed by "madam" through remote control.

"I remember the slightest criticism over the attacks used to rile the then ruling party," Modi told the gathering in this textile city ahead of elections in the state on December 7.

The Congress, he added, taught the lesson of patriotism. But when the Army carried out a surgical strike by crossing over the border, the party questioned it and asked for video proof.

“The soldiers have their lives in hands and not a camera,” Modi said.

India, he said, will never forget the 26/11 terror attack or its perpetrators.

"Justice will surely be done, I want to assure the country," he added while expressing solidarity with the families of those who lost their lives.

"A grateful nation bows to our brave police and security forces who valiantly fought the terrorists during the Mumbai attacks," Modi said.

The prime minister said his government had responded to terrorists and Naxals in their own language.

Claiming that terror strikes had come down under BJP rule, the prime minister said terrorists now find it difficult to go beyond Kashmir.

“On the one hand, there is terrorism and, on the other, Maoism and Naxalism. They are giving guns in the hands of children and killing innocent people but Congress leaders and close aides of naamdaar are calling Naxals revolutionaries and giving them certificates,” he said.

Modi has frequently referred to Congress president Rahul Gandhi as naamdar (dynast).

He also attacked the Congress for its alleged casteist remarks and said issues relating to the people do not bother the party.

"As the elections are approaching, Congress asks for my caste and are curious about my father," he said.

When the Indian prime minister visits America and meets the president, they talk about welfare, Modi said.

"Does the president ask him his caste before any discussion? The prime minister represents the caste of 125 crore people of India,” he said.

Modi said he was nothing but a workaholic.

“I am a workaholic (kaamdaar) who has 125 crore people of the country standing behind him... Have you ever heard that I took a holiday? Have you ever heard that I went somewhere for leisure or was missing for a week? I give an account of each and every decision I take and the work that I do," he said.

Braving threats, people in Jammu and Chhattisgarh came out to vote in large numbers with voting percentages remaining 70-75 per cent, Modi added.

While people in Chhattisgarh voted for a new assembly earlier this month, panchayat elections were held in Jammu and Kashmir.

On the occasion of Constitution Day on Monday, Modi recalled the stellar contribution of B R Ambedkar.

“We are proud of our Constitution and reiterate our commitment to uphold the values enshrined in it,” he said.

In Modi's view, even a month would not be enough to give an account of work done by BJP governments at the Centre and state.

Before the BJP came to power in 2014, even 40 per cent of villages did not have toilets, he claimed. However, in four years, 95 per cent of villages have toilets.

“This is called work... They will not give an account of work done but will continue to ask about caste,” he said in another jibe at the Congress.

In 2014, only 50 per cent people of the country had bank accounts and 55 per cent LPG connections in 2014. Now, every India has his bank account and 90 per cent of families have LPG connection. he said.

The prime minister also spoke about developmental works by Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.

He said 36,000 km of new roads were constructed in last five years and 50 lakh young entrepreneurs in Rajasthan received loans under Mudra Scheme.  

The Assembly elections in Rajasthan will take place on December 7 in a single phase for all of the 200 seats.

The counting of votes will take place on December 11.

In the previous Assebmly polls, the BJP had won 163 of the 200 seats , while the Congress secured mere 21 seats and 16 seats went to others/independents.

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PTI