PM attacks Opposition at south India rallies
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday accused the Indian National Congress of politicising a major global crisis and making “provocative and irresponsible statements” that could worsen the situation for Indians in West Asia. The Prime Minister was speaking in poll-bound Kerala, where several households have expats in Gulf countries.
Addressing a rally in Kochi, Modi said India’s missions and embassies in Gulf nations were providing round-the-clock assistance to citizens and that friendly Governments in the region were taking care of Indians.
“Be it saving the nurses stranded in Iraq or freeing Father Tom from the clutches of terrorists in Yemen, India now does not abandon its citizens in their time of crisis. Father Alexis Premkumar was safely rescued and brought back from Afghanistan. Even today our aim is to ensure that Indians stranded in West Asia amidst the war are safe and receive all possible facilities,” the PM said in Ernakulam, where he also conducted a roadshow.
Modi said the crisis in West Asia had once again highlighted the importance of becoming Atmanirbhar. “To reduce dependence on petrol and diesel, electric vehicles are being promoted. Hundred percent electrification of railways is also being carried out,” he said.
He alleged that during their rule the Congress and the Left parties made the country more dependent on foreign nations and were now spreading rumours about the war in the Gulf region. During his Kerala visit, the PM also inaugurated several projects, including trains.
Earlier in the day at a rally in Tamil Nadu, Modi urged people not to panic over LPG supply disruption and asked them to rely only on verified information.
At a rally in Tiruchirappalli, he criticised the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, saying people wanted a Government that worked for every family, “not just for one family.” He alleged the party was known for a “scientific corruption model.”
Modi also inaugurated, dedicated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth about Rs 5,650 crore across Tamil Nadu, saying they would create thousands of jobs for the state’s youth.
