Modi focuses on terror in Uttar Pradesh rally

Terms the serial bomb blasts in Patna last month an attack on democracy

At a rally in Bahraich on Friday, Narendra Modi, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s prime ministerial candidate, focused on the issue of terrorism, terming the serial bomb blasts in Patna last month an attack on democracy.

The serial blasts in Patna had killed six people and wounded several others. For the incident, the BJP had blamed the Bihar government’s lax security arrangements.

In his typical combative style, Modi said after failing to contain his and his party’s victory march, certain elements might use means such as those used by the Indian Mujahideen to get even. He cautioned the way in which events were unfolding, it seemed disgruntled elements had resorted to undemocratic means, including unleashing terrorism.

Modi claimed at times, the Central Bureau of Investigation was being used to save the Congress fortress, while sometimes, the Indian Mujahideen’s terror module was getting a free hand. “We will make the terrorists kneel down and uproot them,” he said. He castigated the Congress, the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Samajwadi Party, saying there was no difference between the three; these had done little to uplift the state, he added.

The rally, Vijay Shankhnaad, was held amid tight security arrangements, according to the instructions of the district administration. Besides Uttar Pradesh police personnel, sleuths and commandos of the Gujarat police were also roped in. To neutralise potential threats, Modi’s security cordon extended up to his dais.

Modi had earlier addressed two rallies in the state — in Kanpur and Jhansi. He is slated to address nine rallies in Uttar Pradesh, which accounts for the most Lok Sahba seats (80). Bahraich comes under the Avadh region of Uttar Pradesh, once a stronghold of the BJP. Now, however, of the 17 Lok Sabha seats in the region, the party holds just one seat (Lucknow).

The party hopes the Modi factor can revitalise the party cadre here.