Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the first time raised the Godhra issue during the Lok Sabha election campaign at a rally in Bihar on Saturday.
Targeting Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad, Mr. Modi blamed him for protecting those who were responsible for the Godhra train burning in 2002.
Without mentioning the name of Mr. Prasad who was part of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, Mr. Modi said, “He had tried to shield those who were responsible for the Godhra train burning in which more than 60 kar sevaks were burnt alive. Was it not during the reign of Sonia [Gandhi] madam?” Mr. Modi was then the Chief Minister of Gujarat.
‘Bogus report’
At a rally in support of BJP candidate Gopal Ji Thakur in Darbhanga, Mr. Modi recalled the Banerjee Commission, headed by a retired judge of the Supreme Court, that was tasked with a probe into the train burning.
Mr. Modi alleged that under pressure, the commission submitted a “bogus report” to set free those responsible for the carnage and put the blame on kar sevaks. However, the court did not go with the report and people responsible for the carnage were punished, the Prime Minister said.
In Jharkhand, Mr. Modi made an attack on the Congress and its leaders while addressing public meetings in Palamu and Gumla.
He said a strong nation required a strong leader, and the Congress would cry in front of other nations when Pakistan used to attack India.
“There was a time when the cowardly Congress government used to go around the world and cry after a terrorist attack. However, today Pakistan is crying all over the world. The Pakistani leaders are praying to make shehzada [prince] of the Congress the Prime Minister of India. A strong India wants a strong government and for a strong government, we need a Modi government,” he said.
He said he adopted a tough stance against terrorism after becoming the PM and Pakistan was left shaken by the surgical strike.
Lashing out at the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and its alliance partner Congress, Mr. Modi alleged that leaders of both parties have accumulated immense wealth through corruption.
“Be it property or politics, they are acquiring everything for their children. They will leave behind a lot of black money as a legacy for them. I have lived a life in poverty and only someone who has seen poverty and lived a life of suffering can understand the tears of poor people,” Mr. Modi said.
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The rallies were held in support of BJP candidates V.D. Raman and Sameer Oraon from Palamu and Lohardaga Lok Sabha seats respectively.
Without naming Congress leader Mr. Gandhi, he said that the “prince of Congress” is finding happiness in “Modi’s tears”. Saying that “one vote in 2014” unseated the corrupt Congress government, he highlighted his achievements as Gujarat Chief Minister and Prime Minister over a period of 25 years. He said he had never been accused of misappropriating even a penny through scams and asserted 25 crore people came out of poverty during his 10-year rule.
He alleged “a corrupt government is in power in Jharkhand” and when the government is corrupt, development is not possible. Without naming JMM leader and former Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who is in jail in an alleged money laundering case, Mr. Modi said “those who looted Jharkhand are being prosecuted under law”.
Taking a dig at the Opposition, the Prime Minister slammed Congress and the leaders of Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) for spreading lies that “Modi will end reservation and change the Constitution”. He called them “leaders of fools”. “I have been in power for 10 years and running the government with pride. I have not committed this sin in 10 years because I worship the Constitution of India. I am among those who worship Babasaheb Ambedkar,” Mr. Modi said.
He further accused the Congress of indulging in “politics of appeasement”. Mr. Modi said through the glasses the Congress wears, “only one vote bank is visible and that is the Muslim vote bank”.
