Theni: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a broadside against the Opposition today, saying the DMK, Congress and their “mahamilavati” friends cannot accept strides India has made and, therefore, were “unhappy” with him.
Addressing a public gathering here in support of the candidates of the AIADMK-led alliance, Modi said he was here to give an account of the promises that he made in 2014 and reveal plans for the future.
“We will march towards the dream of creating a new India. We will create an India where everyone, from farmer to solider, has security and prosperity,” he said.
Modi took a swipe at the DMK-Congress combine. He said those who were “sworn enemies” have joined hands, despite the national party having “humiliated” its southern ally in the past.
“Today, India is rapidly making a mark in the world. The Congress, DMK and their mahamilavati friends cannot accept this. That is why they are unhappy with me,” he said, and added: “I am maintaining vigil as the watchman of this country. I will not allow anyone to loot.”
Modi has been describing the Opposition ‘mahagatbandhan’ (mega alliance) as ‘mahamilavati,’ meaning adulterated.
Taking potshots at DMK president M K Stalin’s proposal naming Congress chief Rahul Gandhi as prime ministerial candidate, Modi said there were no takers for this among the opposition “because they are in line to be Prime Minister and dream of the post”.
“Some days ago, DMK supremo (Stalin) projected the Naamdar (dynast-Gandhi) as Prime Minister candidate but no one was ready to accept it, not even their mahamilavati friends, because they are in line to be Prime Minister and dream of the post,” he said, without naming anyone.
Despite past “bitterness”, the Congress and DMK have joined hands, he said, and recalled that the national party had “humiliated” the southern ally earlier, apparently referring to the dismissal of the DMK government in the past.
Even during the 2G spectrum allocation scam, centered on then Telecom minister A Raja of the DMK, the Dravidian party’s leaders criticised the national party, which was leading the ruling UPA, he pointed out.
“In an attempt to mislead the people, all the corrupt have ganged up in an attempt to defeat Modi,” he said.
He further said the DMK and Congress were against the nation and were questioning the armed forces.
“We are not compromising on nation’s security. A brave pilot from Tamilnadu was attacked by Pakistani aircraft. Our government safeguarded the pilot. But, the Congress is questioning our soldiers,” he added.
Striking a chord with the AIADMK cadres, Modi invoked the names of former chief ministers M G Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa to seek votes for the AIADMK nominees.
“This is the land of MGR and Jayalalithaa. I pay homage to them. India is proud of these two iconic leaders who lived and worked for the poor,” Modi said.
He also took a jibe at former Finance minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram and said, “Father becomes the Finance minister and son loots the country. Whenever they are in government, they always loot,” he said without naming them.
He is scheduled to address another rally in Ramanathapuram, before going to Mangaluru and then to Bengaluru South in Karnataka.
EPS-OPS ALL PRAISE
Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said only Congress president Rahul Gandhi and DMK president M K Stalin are trying to destroy the State.
“Stalin is making false allegations wherever he goes. The Communist party, which is part of the DMK alliance, has contradictory stands in Tamilnadu and Kerala. Only the AIADMK alliance has proposed a Prime Minister candidate. Stalin proposing Rahul Gandhi as the prime ministerial candidate of their alliance is not accepted by the leaders in their own coalition,” he said, and added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has the ability to safeguard the entire population of the country.
Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam said, “Our alliance is based on dharma and we will certainly win.” He said Modi was protecting the whole country.