PM Modi asks, How can national security not be an issue?

Paliganj (Bihar), May 15 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday declared that terrorism could be cleared out just by an aggressive strategy like the one adopted by his government and scoffed at the opposition for protesting making national security an election issue.

"The Mahamilavatis say national security isn't an issue. How can it not be one when so many common people lose their lives in terrorist attacks?

"The perpetrators should be done the way we did, by chasing them to their hideouts (ghar mein ghuskar mara), Modi said in an oblique reference to the Balakot air strikes.

Addressing an election rally here under Pataliputra Lok Sabha constituency, Modi made an emotional appeal to the voters "this is my last public meeting in the state during elections. However, I will be back with my development projects among you in my fresh tenure. Your love has made me certain of a triumph. Yet, kindly do guarantee, in the last stage, that the greatness of the triumph is attractive."

The prime minister also assaulted the Congress over Sam Pitrodas "hua to hua" comment and affirmed that it reflected the opposition partys "arrogance" and "unapologetic attitude" about the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

He also came down heavily on Lalu Prasads RJD, the Congress partner in Bihar which he didn't mention by name, blaming it of using the support of caste for achieving power but thereafter promoting those within the family, ignoring the contributions of workers with potential.

He also assaulted the RJD for having allegedly promoted criminalization amid its stint in power and "failure" to come up with innovations aimed at improving the living standards of the poor.