Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the Indian Army cannot wait for clearance from the Election Commission of India (EC) to take action against terrorists.

Addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh’s Deoria which he began by addressing the crowd in Bhojpuri, the PM, while referring to an encounter in Shopian in Jammu and Kashmir earlier in the day in which two terrorists were killed, said: “They [the terrorists] were standing in front [of the soldiers] with bombs and guns. Would my jawans go to the election commission to ask for permission to shoot? Since I came to Kashmir, every second or third day, clean-up operations are taking place.”

Citing action by his government against fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya, Modi said that the government had seized more than one quarter of the ₹9,000 crore Mallya had borrowed from banks before fleeing the country. He added that the country’s “chowkidar” (watchman) had seized Mallya’s luxurious bangalows, farmhouses and resorts in the country.

“With the connivance of some people in the government and some bank officials, one corrupt man ran abroad with money of belonging to the poor of the country. But your chowkidar moved in action and more than one and quarter of the amount he stole has been seized... This can only be done by a strong and honest government.”

He also called on Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati to withdraw support from the Congress government in Rajasthan after the gang rape in Alwar.

“Since the Alwar incident, the daughters of UP are raising the question about what is happening in Rajasthan, a state where the Congress is ruling with the support from the BSP. Both the BSP and the Congress are trying to hush up case,” he said.

He added that the “lotus” was all set to bloom in the country again. “The ‘mahamilavati’ group is now frustrated and desperate because the people are voting for a strong government and a strong nation,” he said.

The BJP has built its campaign around the theme of nationalism and national security which no political party has opposed. However, political parties have objected to the Prime Minister referring to ‘my soldiers’ on the social media.

Referring to Balakot airstrike, he said only his government was able to combat terrorism as the BSP, Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Congress “can’t even fight street goons”.

The PM further targeted Congress over promising in its manifesto the removal of sedition laws. “The Congress wishes to withdraw special security cover to our soldiers, special laws and sedition laws. By doing so, it wants to encourage those indulged in hurling abuses the nation and those talking about dividing the country. Should such a mindset be supported?”

He added that the Congress was focused on “cutting votes” in Uttar Pradesh, more than winning seats

First Published: May 13, 2019 00:46 IST