"Those who voted for us and those who did not all are ours," Modi said. After laying the foundation stone of the unit, he said these modern rifles will be manufactured in Amethi under a Russia-India joint venture. The AK-203 will replace the INSAS rifles being used by the Army and other forces. The immediate target is to produce 7,00,000 AK-203 rifles in the facility, PTI reported quoting official sources.
These rifles will be known as 'made in Amethi' and will help our jawans in encounters with naxals and terrorists, he said. He accused previous governments of neglecting the armed forces and their needs. He also said the UPA government sat on the Rafale deal for years.
Tearing into Rahul Gandhi, without specifically naming him, the Prime Minister said between 2009 to 2014, demands of providing 1.86 lakh bulletproof jackers for defence forces was neglected.
"It was our government that ordered 2.3 lakh bullet proof jackets. Development and national interest was blocked for years because it did not suit power centres in that party and the dynasty," he alleged.
Referring to the ordinance factory, whose foundation he laid here, and will produce AK-203 assault rifles and subsequently export to other countries, Modi said that this work had begin way back in 2009.
"You can see for yourself their seriousness towards you and development," he said as people started shouting slogans of "Rahul Gandhi chor hai".
After Defence Minister Nirmala Sitaraman read out Russian President Vladimir Putin's message extending his good wishes for the joint Indian-Russian venture, Modi said while Gandhi had in his speeches promised that he "would ensure Made in Ujjain, Made in Jabalpur", he had made it possible that its 'Made in Amethi' for these assault rifles.
He said that Gandhi had promised 1,500 jobs to local youth while only 200 were given and "now this person is going around the country, giving lectures on employment".
Modi, who inaugurated nine projects built at a cost of Rs 538 crore and laid foundation stones of eight others, also accused Gandhi of neglecting his constituency.
Referring to a cycle factory which was to come up in Amethi, the Prime Minister said while land was allotted and hopes kindled, it was later taken away, through the back door, for personal use.
"People who do not have a fair vision, a fair sense of empathy with the poor cannot be trusted. Those whose intentions are bad, how will they ensure the welfare of the country," he said.
Referring to Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani, he said that she was sent to Amethi to fight the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and though she may not have won the electoral battle, she had certainly won the hearts of people here.
(With inputs from agencies)