Modi hits out at Cong rule for not testing anti-satellite

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday hit out at Congress for not testing the anti-satellite missile despite having the capability as the previous governments were only concerned about serving the interest of a "namdar" (dynast) family and not the country's security.

He said his government has demonstrated India's space power when the anti-satellite missile was launched.

Modi asserted that the Congress and opposition parties are spending sleepless nights as the 'lahar' (wave) for the BJP has become a 'lalkar' (challenge) for them after the first two phases of elections.

The Prime Minister was addressing two election rallies in Kendrapara and Balasore Lok Sabha segments. This was Modis sixth election programme in Odisha where the saffron party is trying to increase its tally significantly. Odisha has a total of 21 Lok Sabha seats.

Earlier, he had addressed poll meetings at Jeypore in Koraput district, Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi, Sonepur in Bolangir district, Sundergarh and Sambalpur, besides holding a massive roadshow and public meeting in Bhubaneswar.

While BJP national vice-president Baijayant Panda is in the fray in Kendrapara, the party has fielded its firebrand leader Pratap Sarangi in Balasore Lok Sabha seat. Polling for these seats will be held in the fourth phase on April 29.

"Balasore's name has been recorded in history, the anti-satellite missile was launched from this place. The previous governments had shied away from demonstrating the country's defence capability as they were busy serving the interests of a 'namdar' family," the prime minister said.

Asserting that India is now the fourth country in the world to have carried out the anti-satellite missile test, Modi said, "We have emerged as a space super power after having achieved supremacy on land, in water and air."
Hitting out at the opposition parties, he said, "While the whole country is rejoicing the success of the Mission Shakti, it is pinching the mahamilawatis (adulterated grouping) who are unhappy."
Stating that BJP's idea of a new India is clear, Modi said "it is jai jawan, jai kisan, jai vigyan and jai anusandhan."