Bad days ahead for looters, warns Modi

Underlining the point, Modi said he chose Chandrabhan village for his first rally over a big city because, “in this small village Pandit Deen Dayal (Upadhyaya) was born. His message was - do not get tired, do not stop, do not bend, only keep working.” Upadhya was <g data-gr-id="63">founder</g> of Jan Sangh and most prominent right-wing ideologue. The BJP was born out of Jan Sangh.

Countering the Opposition’s charge that his government was pro-rich, the Prime Minister for most part of an hour-long speech enumerated how his government has spent the last year one year working for the poor. 

Voicing support for small traders over big corporates, the Prime Minister said, “There are small traders who sell vegetables, milk, newspapers, have small industries, they employ 12 crore people 

of the nation.”

He went to add, “Big corporates don’t generate a lot of employment. It is the small traders, businessmen who provide the maximum employment.”

“This government is dedicated to the poor,” said the PM hitting back at the Congress and its vice-president Rahul Gandhi, without naming them, adding “These are <g data-gr-id="64">achche</g> din (good days) for many, but <g data-gr-id="65">burey</g> din (bad days) for some. It will only get worse... the time is up for those who looted the country.”

Hitting out at the Congress, he said, there used to be a “scam everyday” during the Congress-led regime. Talking tough on the issue of corruption, the Prime Minister said he was there to guard 

public money. 

“I will not be Pradhan Mantri (prime minister) but Pradhan <g data-gr-id="52">Santri</g> (prime guard),” Modi said adding, “We’ve ensured 100 paise of each rupee reaches the poor.”

He said the middlemen has been rooted out and through Jan Dhan Yojana intended benefits are reaching the people directly. In his trademark <g data-gr-id="54">style</g> the Prime Minister asked the crowd, “Have you heard about any scams, any nepotism, any remote control in the last year?” 

Highlighting the issue of corruption in the previous regime, Modi said, “I want to ask you today, didn’t I deliver on my promises? Loot has been put to an end or not?” 

The Prime Minister chose the occasion to counter every charge that Gandhi and his party have levelled against him, including the allegation that his government was neglecting farmers. 

“The farmer must get a good life, so many farmers committed suicide for years. It’s not about who is to be blamed but about solutions, the Prime Minister said. “Urea production will rise by 20 lakh tons. Farmers will get as much urea as they <g data-gr-id="62">want,</g> when they want,” he said recounting various pro-poor steps. 

Echoing his government’s pro-farmer moves, he said, “Did you ever imagine that a farmer in our nation could get <g data-gr-id="74">pension</g> after 60 years?”