Modi again rakes up Pitroda's controversial comment

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday again raked up Congress leader Sam Pitroda's controversial remark in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, as he picked holes in the 10-year rule of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) at the the Centre.

Without naming Pitroda or talking about the anti-Sikh riots, Modi, in his 30-minute speech here, time and again took jibes at the UPA government by saying that its attitude towards policies such as defence matters were "hua toh hua" (it just happened).

Indian Oversees Congress chief Pitroda had on last Thursday brushed off the 1984 anti-Sikh riots by saying, "hua toh hua" (it just happened).

Modi also told the gathering that the opposition was just looking for new words to "abuse your chowkidar (watchman)".

"Those who are themselves out on bail are searching for new words in their dictionary daily to abuse your 'chowkidar'. But your 'chowkidar' is not going to budge because of their abuses," he said.

Donning a traditional Himachali cap, the Prime Minister in his address in Hindi tried to build a bond with the gathering by saying that Solan was known for cultivating mushroom, peas, delicious tomatoes and ginger. He also recollected the days he spent in Solan by remembering shopkeeper Manohar Lal, who used to sell roasted "chanas".

The Prime Minister, who was here on Monday for his second and last election meeting in the hill state, said the "Opposition's mission was to ruin his image while his mission was to build India's image on a global platform."

Claiming that the BJP was heading for a bigger victory in the Lok Sabha polls than in 2014, Modi made a special appeal to the first-time voters who were born in the 21st century and who want a new-"age development agenda".

The Prime Minister further said that many prosperous countries in the world have not been able to provide free treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh to their people.

"Ayushman Bharat (National Health Protection Mission) is the biggest healthcare programme which is benefitting 50 crore people, equal to the population of Canada, Mexico and the US put together," Modi said.

The four parliamentary constituencies of Himachal Pradesh -- Shimla, Hamirpur, Mandi and Kangra -- will go to the polls in the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha elections on May 19.

--IANS

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