Asserting that India is now taking big decisions like on Article 370 which were unthinkable earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the massive mandate given by the people gave him the strength to take the step and challenged the opposition Congress to publicly state that it will restore the provision if voted to power.
Addressing his first of four election rallies in Haryana this week, Modi said the opposition parties in the state were crumbling and their attempts to come together are falling apart, while the BJP had a “strong team and a strong captain” in Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.
The prime minister again targeted the opposition on the issue of abrogation of special status of Jammu and Kashmir as he did in poll-bound Maharashtra on Sunday. “India is taking big decisions, which no one could think of earlier. Which decision am I talking about? This decision is of Article 370.
J&K and Ladakh are moving on path of trust and development and credit for this does not go to Modi, but it goes to 130 crore people of this country. I derive strength from you, you gave us big mandate,” he said.
Modi accused the opposition parties of politicising the issue of Article 370. “I challenge them that if Article 370 is so dear to you, you go among the people and tell them that you will reverse the Centre’s decision,” he said.
Here are the highlights of the rally:
4.26 pm: Congress and its partners create roadblock in every pro people programme. You have seen this in the past also how these people created ruckus during the passage of Triple Talaq bill: PM Modi.
4.25 pm: Congress and its alliance partners have been lying on the issue of One Rank One Pension. Today, this is not only the truth, but almost two lakh former soldiers of Haryana have also benefited from it: PM Modi
4.23 pm: These people had made preparations to lock our own Tejas fighter aircraft. But our government removed all the obstacles and added new wings to Tejas flight: PM Modi
4.21 pm: No matter how much they protest, any number of conspiracies, BJP is committed to national security and empowerment of the army and we are constantly giving it momentum: PM Modi.
4.20 pm: Remember the hype created by the opposition parties during the Lok Sabha elections regarding the Rafale plane? These people had given full emphasis that this aircraft agreement should be cancelled, new fighter aircraft should not come in India. But despite all the efforts of these people, the first Rafale aircraft has been handed over to India: PM Modi
4.16 pm: Those who are criticising the government should come clean and tell people of Haryana whether they will bring back Article 370 and 35A if they come back to power: PM Modi.
4.15 pm: Today the whole country is also seeing that those whose interests have been hurt by this decision, are shocked and stunned. These people are questioning this decision, going abroad and asking for help: PM Modi
4.13 pm: The credit for removing Article 370 goes to 130 crore countrymen, to the voters of India. You pressed the button on the lotus and I got this power to fulfill your dreams: PM Modi
4.12 pm: It was the sentiment of Haryana and the entire country to move Jammu and Kashmir out of isolation and violence, towards harmony and empowerment. Today, Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh are on a new path of development and trust: PM Modi
4.10 pm: It is the support of the people of Haryana who have given strength to Manohar Lalji and his team. We have received your blessings during the Lok Sabha elections as well: PM Modi
4.08 pm: Today you are seeing how the whole world, the big leaders of the world are standing with India: PM Modi.
4.07 pm: 5 years ago, when I talked about forming a BJP government in Haryana, the leaders of the opposition party were asking, Modi ji, tell me who is your captain? Then my reply was that if the people of Haryana blesses us, then Haryana will get a strong captain and not only the captain will also get a strong team: PM Modi
4.06 pm: When I come among you in Haryana, I feel that I have come to my house. Development here and change in the lives of the people have always been my priority: PM Modi.
4.05 pm: Development of Haryana, change in people's lives has always been my priority: PM Modi
4.04 pm: People trust BJP more than any other party: PM Modi.
4.03 pm: Shocked that Congress is seeking foreign help: PM Modi raises Congress' meeting with Jeremy Corbyn in Ballabhgarh rally.
4.02 pm: It is only because of people’s trust and belief that India is taking decisions that no one has ever imagined: PM Modi.
4.01 pm: All Indian want Kashmir to be integrated, says PM Modi.
4.00 pm: Dynastic politics will not help Haryana, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Haryana.
Watch Video: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Addresses Rally In Haryana's Ballabhgarh