Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that with ongoing wars in the world, India needs a government that would work on a war footing and claimed that the ongoing Lok Sabha polls will make the country a major world power in the next five years.
Addressing a poll rally in Madhya Pradesh's Damoh on Friday Modi urged people to cast their vote as first phase of polling is underway across 102 Parliamentary constituencies.
During the rally, he remarked that India needs a government that can work on war footing at a time when the world is rocked with turbulence including wars.
"When there is an atmosphere of war in the world and incidents are taking place, then a government working on a war footing is very important in India," he said, adding "This election is to make India a major world power in the coming 5 years."
Making a veiled attack on Pakistan, Modi said "Hamara ek padosi jo aatank ka supplier tha vo ab atta (flour) ki supply ke liye taras raha hai..." (we have a neighbour who used to supply terrorists is now longing for supply of flour).
"Our principle is nation first. India should get cheap oil, hence we took the decision in the interest of the country...Today, the condition of many countries in the world is very bad, many countries are going bankrupt...," he said.
Attacking the I.N.D.I.A bloc, Modi said that the Congress-led alliance is "busy insulting our faith".