Lok Sabha elections 2019: Cong preparing to shift blame from Rahul for poll defeat, says Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday claimed that Congress has accepted its defeat and that the grand old party has already fielded “two batsmen” to defend the “naamdar” (Rahul Gandhi) from the blame.

“The country’s oldest party has now realised what will be the outcome of poll result...and it has started preparations regarding whom to blame in the party for its defeat. It is exercising how to defend naamdar. The Congress can’t blame him because it would go against the spirits of dynasticism.”

In a veiled attack on Mani Shankar Aiyar and Sam Pitroda, Modi said “two batsmen” were tasked by the party to take the responsibility for the poor poll show.

“You must have seen that after fifth phase of polls, two very close courtiers of naamdar family have started batting on their own because they don’t have courage to come on the ground without taking permission from the captain. One of them who happens to be the mentor (guru) of naamdar mocked at Sikhs’ sentiments... Another batsman, who went behind the curtains after abusing me during Gujarat assembly polls, recently appeared again and is abusing me. Hectic parleys are being conducted inside the Congress and strategies are being drawn to defend the Naamdar,” Modi added.

Canvasing in JMM’s bastion – Santhal Pargana division – for the BJP candidates Nishi Kant Dubey, Hemlal Murmu and Sunil Soren contesting from Godda, Rajmahal and Dumka Lok Sabha seats respectively, the prime minister alleged Congress and JMM resorted to lies, maneuvers and cheats to misguide the vast tribal population of Santhal region. While the BJP is striving hard to bring development, the Congress and the JMM are standing with the intruders, alleged Modi. “But the BJP has a clear policy to identify each trespasser, who is a threat to nation’s resources and security,” he claimed.

Modi said, “Due to vote bank, the Congress is maintaining silence even on the issue of national security. Terrorism is a big challenge which needs to be dealt with iron hands. But, the Congress has such a policy that it could not quell terrorists and Naxals...Congress wants to annul the law of sedition to give leeway to stone-pelters, terrorists, Naxals and their supporters.”

“Oppositions’ politics is based on rumours. They can cheat anyone for vote. But, you take it for sure that as long as Modi and the BJP are there, no one can touch your land. Congress ruled for so long in the country but it used tribal people as a vote bank,” said Modi.

“Atal Bihari Vajpayee for the development of tribal population had not only created Jharkhand but also set up a separate tribal department,” he added.

Modi said, “I am committed for the development of this region which never happened in last 70 years. Besides rail, we are developing airport in Deoghar to promote tourism. The upcoming multi-model-harbour on the Ganga will not only promote trade and industry but also create job opportunities. In health sector, construction of AIIMS in Deoghar will also cater the needs of neighbouring Bihar, West Bengal and Odisha states.