‘Cong, allies question IAF’s valour, ask proof of air strike,’ PM slams opposition at Patna rally

“At a time when the entire nation should have stood as one and should have spoken in unison, the 21 opposition parties met to condemn the action”, Modi said.

PM Modi addresses gathering at Patna's Gandhi Maidan.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched a thundering attack on Congress and its allies over politicisation of the India-Pakistan tensions, while addressing a public rally of NDA in Bihar’s capital Patna. Slamming the opposition parties for giving “distasteful” statements against India’s IAF Strike, Prime Minister said that while the country’s soldiers were battling enemy at the border, some within the country were giving statements capable of weakening the integrity of the nation. Prime Minister said that the questions posed by those within the country on the valor of the IAF, are being shown in the enemy country and are eliciting applause from them. “At a time when the entire nation should have stood as one and should have spoken in unison, the 21 opposition parties met to condemn the move”, Modi said. Now they have even started asking for proof of the air strike. Why are Congress and its allies demoralising our forces? he asked. Why they are giving statements which are benefiting our enemies, he asked. “This is new India which will take count of every single sacrifice made by our martyrs”, Modi said. Lauding the diplomatic ties of India, Modi said it has happened for the first time in 50 years that India was invited as a special guest in the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) summit. He thanked Saudi crown prince Mohammed-bin-Salman who recently visited India after Pulwama attack, and said that the Saudi government agreed to increase the quota of Haj pilgrims from India. The crown prince agreed to release 850 Indian prisoners in Saudi , on just one request of mine. This has been made possible because of the strong diplomatic ties developed by this government, said PM. Without naming RJD supremo Lau Yadav, Modi hinted at the fodder scam for which Yadav is serving jail term, and said: “People of Bihar are very much aware of what all happened in the name of fodder. Only we have dared to end the culture of corruption and middlemen which had been a normal practice in the country for decades.” He was received by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar when he arrived in Patna. Lauding Nitish Kumar and his efforts, PM said: “Nitish Kumar transformed the state and has provided a direction to its growth.” The ruling coalition's rally at Gandhi Maidan was also addressed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Union minister Ramvilas Paswan. Bihar has a total of 40 Parliamentary seats and is a politically significant state.