Oppn lost sleep after 4th phase, May 23 'expiry date' for SP-BSP alliance: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday took a swipe at Opposition parties, saying those who cannot win enough seats to claim the Leader of the Opposition post in parliament are getting clothes stitched for becoming prime minister.

He also hit out the SP-BSP alliance, saying that May 23 is the "expiry date" for the grouping, and their leaders will tear each others' clothes after the Lok Sabha poll results are declared that day.

At his rallies in Bahraich and Barabanki in the politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh, which sends 80 MPs to Lok Sabha, Modi said opposition leaders have lost their sleep after four phases of polling
In Bahraich, where he addressed the rally first, Modi said, "After the fourth phase, those who are not in a position to become Leader of Opposition (LoP) by getting 50 to 55 seats, are getting clothes stitched for becoming PM."
He said the SP and the BSP have been bitter rivals but came together fearing a "complete rout". "This togetherness is for selfish motives."
Reciting a couplet of Rahim, he said, "As the results come on May 23, they (SP, BSP leaders) will tear each others' clothes."
Referring to the surgical strikes and the Balakot airstrike, he said they were examples of his government's commitment of extending security of life to 130 crore people. "Kahin bhi ghus kar ke maar sakte hai... (We can hit them (terrorists) anywhere)."
"Terror attacks have stopped because of a fear of Modi, but they (the terrorists) have not mended their ways. The danger has been averted but not annihilated. Nurseries of terror are still operating around us. Can the SP-BSP finish these?" Modi asked the gathering
The PM said UP's Awadh region is the centre of "our belief and spirituality. But when terrorism rises, such centres become targets."
Modi termed the Congress the "master of these deeds". "From land to air, nothing was out of Congress 'ke panje ka shikanja' (claws)."