PM mocks Congress me too' claim on surgical strikes

New Delhi: A day after Congress claimed that multiple surgical strikes were carried out by the UPA regime, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mocked the “me too” claim of the rival party on Friday, saying only the Congress can do a surgical strike on paper and in video games.

Addressing a rally in Sikar, Mr Modi suggested that Congress leaders were confusing video games with such strikes and also hit out at the UPA for shifting IPL tournament abroad in the past due to its failure to provide security.

Showcasing the ruling BJP’s muscular nationalism, Mr Modi said a Congress leader had claimed four months back that three surgical strikes were conducted during that party’s term and now another leader is saying there were six. PM mocks Cong ‘me too’ claim on surgical strikes

“The number increased from three to six in four months. By the time the elections are over, this will increase to 600,” he said.

“Jab kagaz par hi karni ho, jab video game mein hi strike karni ho to 6 ho ya 3 ho, 20 hon ya 25 hon, ye jhoote logon ko kya fark padta hai (When the surgical strikes are to be done on a piece of paper then how does it matter if they have conducted 6 or 25),” Mr Modi said.

Hitting out at the Congress for questioning his government’s anti-terror action across the border, Mr Modi hit out at the party for “Pehle upeksha, fir virodh, ab me too, me too (They initially rejected it, then opposed it and now they are saying ‘me too, me too’).

He said the Congress leaders seem to play video games, and suggested that they treated surgical strikes in the same manner.

Mr Modi accused Congress leaders of calling the Army chief a “goonda” (thug) and the Indian Air Force chief a “liar”, in an apparent reference to alleged remarks by Sandeep Dikshit and Veerappa Moily in past years.

He said the Congress leaders do not trust the valour of the country’s jawans and raise doubts on casualties inflicted on terrorists.

He also addressed public meetings in Hindaun and Bikaner, accusing Congress at both places of not acting strongly against terrorism.

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Speaking at a rally in Karauli, the Prime Minister hit out at the Congress for shifting IPL tournament abroad on the pretext that they cannot ensure security for it.

“IPL matches were played outside the country on two occasions, in 2009 and 2014, because the government did not give permission, citing elections. But now, elections are also happening and so is the IPL,” he said.

“Ye poonch daba ke bhaagne waali sarkar mein the, Modi seena taan ke jata hai (It was a government that was scared while Modi is here standing tall),” Mr Modi said.

Mr Modi accused the Congress of cheating people in the name of various schemes.

“In Rajasthan, people are given forms for Rs 100 for getting Rs 72,000. This is how they cheat,” he said.

Polling for 12 Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan will be held in the fifth phase of the election on May 6. Thirteen other seats in the state went to polls in the fourth phase on April 29.