Summary:
Raipur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at the Congress over the latter`s promise to review the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) if the party is elected to power in the Lok Sabha elections.
Addressing a rally in Chhattisgarh`s Balod, PM Modi said that by promising to amend the AFSPA in the poll manifesto, the Congress has tried to demoralise the morale of the armed forces.
Accusing the Congress of conspiring to put the lives of soldiers at risk, PM Modi said that AFSPA is the "raksha kavach" (armour) of the security forces.
The prime minister also said that while the Bharatiya Janata Party is contesting the Lok Sabha elections for national security, the Congress and its allies are contesting the polls to give a free hand to terrorists and separatists.
"Main zara Congress walon ko kehta hoon ye sena ke jawano ko tum nihathe bana rahe ho, zara ek baar khudh toh saari security cover se nikal kar ke dikhao zara [The Congress is disarming soldiers of the armed forces, I dare you to come out of your security cover]," he said.
Modi also said the "naamdar" (dynast) of the Congress party had to run away to find a "safe" seat.
Rahul Gandhi is contesting the Lok Sabha polls from two seats - Uttar Pradesh`s Amethi and Kerala`s Wayanad.
At the rally, Modi said that only a strong government can punish terrorists and achieve development.
When the government is strong, the country does not sit quietly after a terror attack, the prime minister told the audience.