In a scathing attack on Congress and its leadership, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the party “a product of a sick mindset and outlook” and added that it was no longer the Congress of Mahatma Gandhi but a party based on principles of corruption and dynastic rule.
At an election rally at Kangra in Himachal Pradesh on Thursday, Mr. Modi did not spare even the first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and recounted "how he wanted to finish off the Jansangh when he was in power from the Panchayats to the Parliament." But now the same party, progressing from a lamp to lotus, is writing the obituary of this grand old party, he said.
Mr. Modi also disapproved the behaviour of "Congress’ heir" Rahul Gandhi who preferred to consult the Chinese ambassador on Doklam issue instead of the country’s own foreign ministry or government in a complete disrespect to the armed forces of the country.
Appealing the voters to get rid of Congress in Himachal, Mr. Modi said in Dhaula Kuan near Nahan in Sirmaur district: “A new and an honest government is on the way in Himachal and that would not allow anyone to plunder the resources of this small hill State.”
While signaling at the incumbent Congress government whose Chief Minister is facing several charges of corruption Mr. Modi said the “panja” (paw) can no more loot the coffers of this State since a new government is coming. The BJP would continue its fight against corruption and get another State rid of Congress party in its mission of a Congress free country, he added.
While addressing the second rally of the day in Nahan, the Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction at the enthusiasm of the crowd at both places and claimed that these are the signs of change and a mood for transformation.
Mr. Modi said the hill State needs a “double engine”, of the same party in State and Centre governments, for a rapid growth and progress. “The Vajpayee era should be brought back for intensifying the development here that had been badly hit by the Virbhadra government”, said Mr. Modi.
Mocking at the Congress’s claims of a zero tolerance on corruption in its manifesto, Mr. Modi said nobody could ever digest this claim from where, the Chief Minister remained busy for full five years in various courts in facing corruption charges and has sought a bail. He said the Congress party has become a “laughing club” and is being cleaned out from everywhere by the electorate.
Mr. Modi cautioned the people in the hill State that has now become a Danav Bhoomi from a Dev Bhoomi (a land of evil from the land of good). Congress has introduced five types of evil and mafias in its tenure here and that included the mining and forest mafias that had plundered the natural resources of the State. The drug mafia that had spoiled the entire young generation in the hills and has entered every household now. And the tender and transfer mafias who had earned like anything with the government patronage and blessings. There were no rules and no laws for these select people and they have piled up a massive ill gotten wealth, he said.
They should be punished and thrown out of the government immediately, he said.
The Prime Minister also endorsed the name of Mr. Dhumal for the top post in the State and said the party would sweep polls in coming Assembly elections.
