Government’s power became visible today, says PM Modi

‘Country is in safe hands, our sole aim is to serve people’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking at a public rally at Churu, Rajasthan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the country was in “safe hands” and he would not let the nation bow down. “Today is a day to pay tributes to our bravehearts... Nothing is above our country,” he said.

Mr. Modi’s remarks came during his address at an election rally in Churu, 200 km from here, shortly after the IAF conducted air strikes in Pakistan.

Mr. Modi said the country was progressing with the sentiments of “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan” and the government was working with the “sole objective” of serving the people.

Though Mr. Modi avoided making a direct reference to air strikes, he gave enough hints that he was seeking voters’ support for the formation of a “strong government” at the Centre this year. “Your votes in 2014 helped form a strong dispensation in Delhi. Its power was visible today,” he said.

This was Mr. Modi’s second rally organised within three days in Rajasthan as part of his Lok Sabha election campaign. He recited a Hindi poem, Saugandh Mujhe Is Mitti Ki (I swear by my land), written by lyricist Prasoon Joshi for BJP’s election campaign in 2014, as people cheered and clapped.

He attacked the Congress government in the State, saying that it was stopping the benefits under the Centre’s schemes from reaching the farmers and poor patients.

Referring to the Ayushman Bharat scheme, Mr. Modi said there was not a single beneficiary in the State among the 13 lakh people across the country who had received free medical treatment under the programme. “The Congress government has shown no seriousness to associate with the scheme. It hurts when the public welfare schemes are subjected to politics.”

Mr. Modi said the Yamuna river waters had reached the parched land of the Shekhawati region through canals during the previous BJP regime, and the highways were being constructed and rail connectivity was being improved. While seeking support during the 2019 general elections, Mr. Modi said voters should show their prudence by not electing a “weak government” at the Centre.