PM tears into Oppn for doubting IAF anti-terror attack in Pakistan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday launched a blistering attack on the Congress-led opposition accusing it of focusing solely on trying to "finish" him off while he is working to quell terrorism, ensure national security, eradicate poverty and corruption, and generate employment.

Addressing an NDA rally here in the presence of his Bihar allies -- including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan -- Modi came down heavily on opposition for their skepticism over the surgical strikes by the Army post the Uri terror attack, and the air strikes in Balakot after the Pulwama suicide bombing.

"Is it appropriate for these parties to speak in a language that suits Pakistan? Leaders of the neighbouring country are using it as a shield to protect themselves against the charge of promoting terrorism. They are clapping gleefully," Modi said.

On Saturday, Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh had asked the Centre to present evidence of the air strike on terrorist camps in Balakot. He had also "congratulated" Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan for releasing IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman.

Before that, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had on February 28 said lives of jawans are much more valuable than electoral politics, but the nation has a right to know what actually happened at Balakot following the IAF's air strike.

The PM alleged on Sunday the opposition parties were conspiring against him "while I want to eliminate terror. They are conspiring to finish me off."
Without naming Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, who has coined the slogan "Chowkidar chor hai" (the watchman is the thief), Modi said, "Those who run their political shops in the name of the poor and care for nothing except for their dynasties, are having problems with the chowkidar. But the chowkidar is alert and on the job."
Modi also took a veiled dig at jailed RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, saying, "The people of Bihar have seen a lot in the name of purchase of fodder. Our government has worked for doing away with middlemen who siphon off public money. My heartiest congratulations to Nitish Kumar and (Deputy CM) Sushil Kumar Modi for pulling Bihar out of the dark times."
"He (Salman) sought a little time, and later in the evening at a dinner at the Rashtrapati Bhavan he asked me to have sweets. I wondered, why? He replied 'we have decided to release 850 Indians from jails'."