BALOD (CHHATTISGARH): A day after terming the Congress manifesto as an insult to the Indian Army in an interview to ABP News, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday alleged the main opposition party and its allies were fighting the elections to give a free hand to terrorists.

The Congress and its allies were contesting the Lok Sabha elections to "give a free hand (khuli chhuth) to terrorists and separatists" while the BJP was in the fray to "punish terrorists and separatists for their sins", Modi said addressing a poll rally at Hathuad in Balod district of Chhattisgarh.

When the government is strong, the country does not sit quiet after a terror attack, the prime minister told the audience. "Didn't you feel proud when the country punished perpetrators of terror."

"Do you want a government of chowkidar or a procession of corrupt (Bhrastachariyon ki baraat)," he asked the gathering.

Modi has often referred to himself as the country's 'chowkidar' (watchman) protecting its interest within and outside India.

"When there is a strong government," Modi said, "there is surgical strike and air strike and the world listens to us."

Calling the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act a "Suraksha Kavach" (armour)) of the armed forces, he slammed the Congress over its manifesto promise to review the act.

Saying the Congress' "Naamdar" family was out on bail, Modi alleged their "intentions" were not good and they "take bribe" even in a helicopter purchase deal.

He also accused the Congress of "betraying" the farmers of Chhattisgarh with a "false" assurance of loan waiver.

In an exclusive interview to ABP News on Friday, Modi had blasted the Congress for its manifesto saying he was "pained" to see how a party like Congress could speak "so low" on the issues of national security in the poll document, and offend the army by talking about rape-allegations on them.

He said the "Congress party has insulted country's Army in its manifesto which is in sync with the language that is used by the separatists for our country".

"It is matter of pride for India that, the discipline of the Indian soldiers in the United Nation’s peace-keeping forces is remarkable. So far not a single complaint has ever been registered against the Indian soldiers , who work for peace-keeping in many countries in hostile situation, including the poorest of nations," PM said.