Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, 3 May, challenged the Congress' claim that its government too had conducted surgical strikes across the Line of Control, accusing the party of telling "lies."
"Pehle upeksha, fir virodh, ab me too, me too (They initially rejected it, then opposed it and now are saying 'me too')," Modi said at an election rally in Rajasthan’s Sikar.
Soon after Modi’s speech, the Congress hit back, with its leader Ahmed Patel saying:
“They wish to win elections anyhow. We never took credit whether it was air strikes or Bangladesh war, credit must go to the forces. It’s not Congress’ insult, it’s an insult of jawans.”Ahmed Patel, as quoted by ANI
The party also took to Twitter to slam the PM over his speech.
Modi's remark came a day after the Congress came out with a list of six anti-terror surgical strikes carried out during the UPA government.
The UPA government carried out six surgical strikes – Bhattal sector in Poonch (19 June 2008); Sharda sector, across Neelam River Valley, in Kel (30 August- 1 September 2011); Sawan Patra checkpost (6 January 2013); Nazapir sector (27-28 July 2013); Neelam Valley (6 August 2013); and one on 23 December 2013, Congress spokesperson Rajeev Shukla had said in a press conference on Thursday.
"They initially mocked and rejected surgical strike but people had faith in me and they stood by me," Modi said.
He accused the Congress of telling "lies" and said the party does surgical strikes only "on paper."
A Congress leader had said four months back that three surgical strikes were conducted during Congress' term and now another leader is saying six surgical strikes were carried out by the party, Modi said.
“The number increased from three to six in four months. By the time elections are over, this number would increase to 600. What does it matter when the strike is on paper! Congress only speaks lies.”PM Modi, as quoted by PTI
Taking a dig at the Congress, Modi said, "I think such leaders play video games and perhaps enjoy surgical strikes thinking it of some game," he said.
At a rally in Bikaner too, Modi asserted that only a strong government can take decisions on surgical strikes and air strikes.
Modi Deceived Youths by Promising 2 Crore Jobs: Rahul Gandhi
Meanwhile, at a rally in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur on Friday, Congress President Rahul Gandhi accused PM Modi of deceiving youths and leaving them unemployed.
“Forget about Rs 15 lakh in bank account, he (Modi) did not deposit even Rs 5. He thinks that people of the country do not understand anything.”Rahul Gandhi, as quoted by PTI
"He (Modi) kept assuring that money will come in bank accounts he had opened. He deceived youths the most by promising 2 crore jobs and left lakhs of them jobless," the Congress chief said.
Gandhi said issues like corruption, farmers, employment were common in speeches of Modi five years ago, saying such things were not heard in the prime minister's speeches now.
(With inputs from PTI.)
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