From Gujarat base, PM Narendra Modi strikes at Tughlaq Road

JUNAGADH/SONGADH: Exuding confidence that the BJP will secure a second term at the Centre, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought a decisive mandate from the people to form a government that will remain committed to national security, root out corruption, and

eliminate terrorism

.


Kicking off the

Lok Sabha

poll campaign for

Gujarat

, Modi said that only he can extirpate terrorism by striking at its roots in Pakistan. Addressing public meetings in

Junagadh

in Saurashtra and Songadh in South Gujarat’s tribal belt, Modi roasted the Congress for ‘Tughlaq Road Chunav Chanda Ghotala (election funding scam) by pocketing crores meant for the welfare of poor and pregnant women.

"Corruption is the characteristic of the Congress and the party has been called several names as far as scams are concerned," Modi said. "Now there is a new name and there is concrete proof too. The name is ‘Tughlaq Road Chunavi ghotala’. Everyone knows who lives on that road."

The official residence of Congress president Rahul Gandhi is on Delhi’s Tughlaq Road. Modi’s tirade comes after the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) stated that the I-T department detected the trail of Rs 20 crore cash allegedly being moved to the "headquarters of a major political party in Delhi" from the house of an important person.

Accusing the previous Congress governments of going soft on terrorism despite a series of attacks, Modi said: "Terrorism is like a cancer that emerged and spread during Congress regimes. If the treatment is stopped midway, the victim dies." He went on to say: "We started the treatment and there is no way it can be stopped midway. We have struck at terror’s very root in the neighbouring country." Then came the punchline: "Who else but me can do that? Tell me one name," he thundered in Songadh town in Tapi district.

Modi slammed the Congress for hobnobbing with elements bent upon dividing the country and casting aspersions on the surgical

strikes

by demanding proof. "I want to root out terrorism, but their only agenda is to unseat me," he said. "The Congress is supporting anti-nationals who want to divide the country by demanding a separate Prime Minister for Jammu & Kashmir." he said.

In a veiled attack on Rahul and Sonia Gandhi, Modi said that in five years his government has brought the corrupt to the doorstep of jails. "If you give us five more years, they will be pushed inside," he said.

PM appeals to first-time voters

Junagadh/Songadh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again made an emotional appeal to first-time voters to dedicate their maiden votes to a government that is committed to national security.


"The happiness of voting for the first time is similar to the first day at school or the first flight in an aeroplane," Modi said. "Being a first-time voter is not insignificant. You are becoming a partner in deciding the future of this country. Please understand its importance," he said.

"Your first vote shoul d not go to any caste or religion but should be dedicated to making our country strong, guaranteeing a bright future, helping to strengthen national security, and respecting armed forces and those who laid down their lives for the Independence and for the common man’s security," Modi told the audience in Junagadh.