Congress will win less than 50 seats, asserts Modi

NEW DELHI/ Bargarh/ RANCHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asserted that the Congress will not win even 50 seats and fail to be eligible to get the principal Opposition party status in the Lok Sabha after the polls. Continuing his attack on the I.N.D.I.A. bloc parties, the Prime Minister accused the alliance leaders of "insulting" President Droupadi Murmu after her visit to Ayodhya's Ram temple and failing to take action against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.

Leading the charge for the BJP in the ongoing general election, Modi addressed three election rallies in Odisha and one in Jharkhand on Saturday.

Addressing three back-to-back election rallies in Odisha’s Kandhamal, Bolangir and Bargarh Lok Sabha seats, Modi claimed that Odisha's "asmita" (pride) is in danger and the BJP will protect it. He also asserted that a "double engine" government of the saffron party will be formed in the state and a "son or daughter of the soil", who understands Odia language and culture’ will be made the chief minister of the state.

Modi sought to tease the Congress by saying it was scared of Pakistan’s “atom bomb” and hence the party did not take any action against them despite the fact that they always encouraged “subversive” activities in India.

He said the Congress-led UPA government did not muster courage to take any action against Pakistan-based terrorists who caused a mayhem in Mumbai on November 26, 2008 (popularly known as the 26/11 Mumbai attack), fearing that Pakistan will retaliate.

“The Congress-led government was always apprehensive of Pakistan’s atom bomb. Hence, it always dithered to take the required actions against that nation. However, my government has always appropriately responded to such incidents,” said Modi.

Recalling the achievements of the previous BJP government at the Centre under Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Prime Minister added, “May 11 is special for every Indian. The Pokhran tests in 1998 by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee showed the prowess of our scientists and the exceptional leadership of Vajpayee Ji. But the Congress discounts this accomplishment and they try to scare India by citing other nations. Shameful!”

The PM said the Congress' dream of winning 10 per cent of the total Lok Sabha seats in the ongoing elections to get the Opposition status will not be fulfilled. The party will get below 50 seats.

“The number of seats the Congress will get will be less than the age of its Shehzada (referring to Rahul Gandhi). They are desperately looking for 10 per cent votes. However, let me make it clear that their dream will remain unfulfilled,” said Modi.

Castigating the Congress for “criticising” President Droupadi Murmu for her visit to the Ram temple at Ayodhya, Modi said it was an act of “disrespect” to her.

“Murmu represents tribal communities. She is the Commander-in-Chief of the country’s three armed forces. However, a top leader of the Congress called a press conference a day after she offered prayers to Ram Lalla at Ayodhya’s Ram temple. Is it not disrespectful to her? Should you not teach them a lesson through your ballot?” asked Modi as the crowd thundered in unison, saying “yes.”

The PM claimed that the countdown for Odisha’s ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has started and that the BJP will form its own government in the state.

“As I had earlier announced, the BJP will win the Assembly elections in Odisha. On June 6, we will name our chief minister’s candidate and on June 10, you will have an Odia CM who is quite versed in Odisha language and culture,” said Modi.

Mounting further attacks on the chief minister Naveen Patnaik government, he said that in the last 25 years, he has ruined Odisha through ill-governance and nepotism.

“The last five years have been more disastrous. Patnaik and his officers have literally ruined the state. All-pervading corruption, lack of governance and nepotism have pushed the country into a state of utter backwardness,” Modi observed.

Targeting the Odisha CM’s close confidante V.K. Pandian, a Tamil Nadu-born bureaucrat-turned BJD politician who is now virtually controlling the state administration and BJD organisation, Modi said, “Odisha is now being ruled by a super chief minister who is a baahari (outsider). Should we tolerate a baahari?”

At an election rally in Jharkhand's Chatra, Modi said that the Congress will get fewer seats than the age of its Shehzada and the I.N.D.I.A. bloc has already accepted defeat in the Lok Sabha polls.

“The mentality of the Congress is of the 18th century. After the President paid obeisance at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, they talked about cleaning the temple. They insulted the President,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister also asserted that NDA governments will be formed in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Arunachal Pradesh, where simultaneous Assembly polls are underway.

“We worship tribals, but the JMM and the Congress are not able to digest the respect shown to them," he said, urging people to vote for the BJP to oust such forces.

The Prime Minister also alleged that the I.N.D.I.A. bloc has plans to hand over the country's assets to Muslims and the OBC, SC and ST reservations to the coalition's votebank.