PM to opposition: Stop politicizing 'Surgical Strike'

Targetting the opposition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Saturday cautioned the opposition to refrain from politicizing the surgical strikes by the Indian Army last year.

"We are so proud of what our forces did. It was done after elaborate planning and is being talked about world over. Sadly, there are some people who are so driven by political considerations that they want to question our armed forces. Those who question surgical strikes- come to Jaunpur and ask the families of the martyrs. Why politicise issues of national security," Modi said at rally here.

He asserted that the armed forces' demand for One Rank One Pension (OROP) had been met by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led government after 40 years of stalling.

"For 40 years, our forces demanded OROP but nothing happened. I had promised BJP Govt will deliver on OROP and we did," said Modi.

Modi also thanked the people for attending his rallies in spite of the heat.

"In this scorching heat also I can see a Jan Sagar. Wherever I turn, I can see only people. Thank you for coming to bless us. And keeping all my promises in mind, loans of small farmers will be waived off in the first cabinet meeting after the BJP government assumes office in Uttar Pradesh," he added.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi arrived in Varanasi and held a huge roadshow atop an SUV followed by visit to the Kashi Vishwanath and Kaal Bhairav temples to offer prayers.

Varanasi will be the most keenly watched constituency that will vote on March 8.

Key contenders from BJP, Samajwadi Party-Congress and BSP will be battling it out for hot seat in the state.

BSP chief Mayawati and Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav along with Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi are also holding their high-octane rallies in the holy city.