During a rally in Odisha's Kandhamal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi threw down the gauntlet to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, daring him to list the districts of Odisha along with their "capitals", without consulting any reference material. Modi, while addressing the gathering, expressed concerns over the state's development and questioned Patnaik's grasp on local affairs.
"I want to challenge 'Naveen Babu' as he has been the CM for such a long time, ask 'Naveen Babu' to name the districts of Odisha and their respective capitals without seeing them on paper. If the CM cannot name the districts of the state, will he know your pain?" Modi questioned, stirring the crowd.
Highlighting his commitment to the state's progress, Modi appealed to the electorate to consider entrusting him with another term. "Can you leave your children's future in such people's hands? I am just requesting you to give me a chance for five years. If in those five years, I don't make Odisha number 1, then you can question me," he affirmed.
However, it must be noted that Indian districts do not have capitals.
Naveen Patnaik, a five-time Odisha chief minister since 2000, now faces this direct challenge from the BJP in the poll-bound state.
PM Modi Attacks Congress Over Mani Shankar Aiyer's 'Pakistan' Remark
Meanwhile, Modi also targeted the Congress party during the rally, accusing them of spreading fear among the populace by repeatedly invoking the spectre of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal. He accused the Congress of historically instilling fear by warning about Pakistan's capabilities, asserting that such fear-mongering tactics were detrimental to the nation's spirit.
"They (Pakistan) are now trying to sell the bomb and searching for a buyer. But nobody is buying the bomb because people know they have no quality," Modi quipped, highlighting what he perceived as the declining stature of Pakistan in global affairs, as quoted by news agency PTI.
Modi drew comparisons with the past, reminiscing about the Pokhran nuclear tests conducted 26 years ago under the BJP-led government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He hailed the tests as a moment of pride for the nation, showcasing India's strength and resolve on the global stage.
Turning to matters of national security, Modi criticised the Congress for its perceived weakness in dealing with terrorism, particularly in the context of Jammu & Kashmir. He accused the Congress of prioritising dialogue over decisive action, citing instances such as the 26/11 attacks and the subsequent response from the government.
The Prime Minister's remarks come in the wake of a row over controversial statements made by Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, who described Pakistan as a "respected nation" possessing nuclear weapons, sparking a debate.