NEW DELHI: Prime Minister
Narendra Modi on Friday attacked the
Congress for being corrupt and anti-poor and declared only the
BJP can ensure Uttarakhand's growth and prosperity.
Addressing a Vikas Sankalp rally in
Haridwar
, PM Modi said, "The corruption of the government in Uttarakhand is well known, but even then, the party leadership is not bothered. Does this spiritual land deserve such a corrupt government? Uttarakhand needs two engines, the state government under BJP and the Central government which will take the state to new heights."
The Prime Minister referred to the earthquake which struck the state on Monday and said disaster relief and rescue teams had been immediately dispatched and the PMO was constantly monitoring the situation. He then compared it to how the Congress-led UPA government managed the massive floods which ravaged the hill state.
"When the Kedarnath disaster occured, the Congress leaders were busy having a ball in foreign countries. The country cannot forget this," PM Modi said.
He then slammed the Congress for attempting to score political points by questioning the validity of the surgical strikes against Pakistan which took place in September last year.
"During the surgical strikes, our armed forces showed what they're capable of. Yet, some people did not accept that and played politics," PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister then recalled his past, which was spent living in poverty. "I have seen what poverty is like. This is why our government is dedicated to the welfare of the poor and disadvantaged," he said, before adding that the BJP will work to build houses for the poor, give employment to the youth and ensure better irrigation systems for farmers.
PM Modi assured the people that his demonetisation drive was not aimed to hurt their interests and explained the logic behind the Jan Dhan accounts.
"My fight is not against small-time businessmen. The reason behind opening bank accounts for the last two years was to make the rich accountable and fill the poor's accounts with money. I have launched this crusade against corruption and black money," he said.