Balod (Chhattisgarh): PM Modi Saturday said only a strong government can punish terrorists and achieve development, and alleged the Congress and its allies were fighting the elections to give a free hand to terrorists. At a poll rally at Hathuad in Balod district of Chhattisgarh, Modi also said the “naamadar” (dynast) of the Congress (apparently referring to Rahul) party had to run away to find a “safe” seat. The Congress president is contesting the LS election from two seats — UP’s Amethi and Kerala’s Wayanad.
When the government is strong, the country does not sit quiet after a terror attack, the PM told the audience. “Didn’t you feel proud when the country punished perpetrators of terror.” The Congress and its allies were contesting the LS election to “give a free hand (khuli chhuth) to terrorists and separatists” while the BJP was in the fray to “punish terrorists and separatists for their sins”, he said. “Do you want a government of chowkidar or a procession of corrupt (Bhrastachariyon ki baraat),” he asked the gathering. Modi has often referred to himself as the country’s chowkidar (watchman) protecting its interest within and outside India.
