#MeraBoothSabseMazboot: India will fight and win as one, says Modi
What's the story
Addressing Bharatiya Janata Party's booth level workers via a mega video-conference on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India will live, grow, fight and win as one. In his first remarks after Pakistan captured an IAF pilot on Wednesday, PM Modi said the entire world turned its eyes towards India and was seeing our nation's will. He called for unity at this sobering time.
Statement
Without mentioning captured pilot, Modi says jawans fighting beyond border
PM Modi said the presence of soldiers on the border, and beyond it (without taking IAF pilot Abhinandan Varthaman's name), ensured the nation took strides in development. "We have to make sure that nothing happens which demoralizes them or our enemies get a chance to point fingers at us," he said. He added the country was standing together to counter the enemy's evil designs.
Quote
Work shouldn't stop, no matter what: PM Modi
"We must all ensure that we stand together, stand united, stand with our soldiers to ensure we are strong... ensure that no matter what, our progress and our work does not stop," PM Modi said.
Twitter Post
Watch: PM Modi calls for unity
India will live as one
— BJP (@BJP4India) February 28, 2019
India will work as one
India will grow as one
India will fight as one
India will win as one : Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi #MeraBoothSabseMazboot pic.twitter.com/TQPgbv90dg
Opposition
It's mahamilawat: PM Modi takes a jibe at grand alliance
Launching a sharp attack on opposition parties, PM Modi said the upcoming elections are a battle between two ideologies. On one side is the BJP, where every task is done democratically, and on other side are parties which promote dynasty, said PM Modi. He said the mahagathbandhan was, in reality, a mahamilawat. Those who couldn't see eye-to-eye were now hugging each other, he added.
Twitter Post
Expect better performance from South India: PM Modi
The coalition govt of Karnataka isn't able to live up to the expectation of the people.
— BJP (@BJP4India) February 28, 2019
The people of Kerala are sick of UDF and LDF govt.
People of Andhra Pradesh have anger against the Congress and TDP.
Therefore, I can expect a better performance in the South India : PM
Criticism
Meanwhile, opposition parties united to slam PM Modi's grand address
PM Modi's address, at a time when India and Pakistan are in the middle of worst escalation in decades, was questioned by many opposition parties. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urged him to postpone the event and work for the safe return of the IAF pilot. Congress also criticized PM Modi and tweeted it was shameful he didn't halt his campaigning despite the distressing turn of events.
Twitter Post
Congress uses BJP's election slogan to slam PM Modi
देशवासियों ऐसा पहली बार हो रहा है कि हमारी वायु सेना के एक पायलट पाकिस्तान की कैद में हैं, पूरा देश उनकी सुरक्षा को लेकर चिंतित है, लेकिन प्रधानमंत्री मोदी देश में चुनावी प्रचार कर रहे! नामुमकिन अब मुमकिन है#MeraJawanSabseMajboot https://t.co/WeYhL9FSAa
— Congress (@INCIndia) February 28, 2019