VARANASI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said it was Kashi, another name for Varanasi, that gave him the strength to answer terrorists in their own language. Modi was addressing a public meeting after holding a mega roadshow and performing the Ganga aarti in his parliamentary constituency.

"In the last five years, I had the opportunity to connect with and pursue the knowledge of Kashi as a parliamentarian," Modi said. "Kashi has not only blessed me as an MP, but also gave me the strength of confidence of 130 crore Indians. It has given me the courage to answer terrorists in their own language," the prime minister, who seeks re-election from Varanasi, told the gathering.

He said India witnessed several attacks on "centres of faith" during the previous two UPA governments but during his tenure, no terror attack took place on temples or at any holy site.

"There were continuous terror attacks from 2005 to 2014 at our centres of faith including the Sankat Mochan temple here. The government of that time did nothing except indulging in talks after every attack," Modi said.

"In the past five years, India has not seen any terror attacks in cities, holy places or temples. The country enjoyed such a huge Kumbh Mela with peace and harmony. Terrorism is now restricted to limited pockets of Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

Modi said his government had dealt effectively against terrorism.

In an apparent reference to the Balakot air strike after Pakistan-based militants killed 40 para-military men in Pulwama, he said the world now backed India in its fight against terror.

"In the Pulwama attack, our 40 jawans were killed. We have eliminated 42 terrorists so far in that area. The count could go up as I speak. That's our way of working," Modi said.

"Our style is different. In similar circumstances, we told them that the new India does not just talk and tolerate, but we respond to terrorists in their own language."

"Whether it is the Pulwama attack, Uri attack or any other issue, I have only one mantra with which I have lived - the country comes first, India first," he said.

Modi also referred to the bombings in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday and asked what was the fault of those who had gathered at churches to offer prayers and be at peace.

Modi said he will not claim that whatever he had wished for the constituency had come true during the last five years. But the pace and the direction of its development are right, he said.

He said while the last five years of his government were about sincere effort, the next five years will be about results.

Earlier, Modi's roadshow drew a massive crowd.

Modi was joined by BJP president Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other senior BJP leaders in the temple town, on a day the Congress ended speculation over its leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra contesting against him by announcing Ajay Rai's candidature.

The prime minister will file his nomination papers Friday, seeking a second term in the Lok Sabha from the constituency.