PM accuses Congress of using General Rawat's cut-outs for votes

Addressing a rally in Uttarakhand's Srinagar ahead of the February 14 state Assembly polls, Modi said it is the same Congress that had asked for proof of surgical strikes against terror hideouts in Pakistan.

Srinagar (Uttarakhand): Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused Congress on Thursday of abusing General Bipin Rawat when he was alive and now using his cut-outs for seeking votes. Narendra Modi was addressing a public rally in Srinagar's Pauri district. The state goes to the polls on February 14. Attacking the Congress, the Prime Minister said that it is the same Congress that had asked for proof of surgical strikes in Pakistan and even referred to General Rawat as a "streetside hooligan".

The Prime Minister mentioned that the people of Uttarakhand have always protected the country. The memories of General Bipin Rawat, who was from the Pauri Garhwal region, are driving him emotional, he said. General Rawat showed the country that the people of Uttarakhand are both as courageous and thoughtful as the Himalayas.

The BJP had come out with its manifesto, the Sankalp Patra for Uttarakhand. Prime Minister said that this will play a major role in the development of Uttarakhand in the coming decade, including the state's youths, women, and farmers.

Continuing with his attack against Congress, the Prime Minister said that Congress kept lying about the "One Rank One Pension" policy even when they were in power in the state for so long. It is only when the BJP came to power at the Centre, the system of "One Rank, One Pension" was implemented. The BJP government is also building a military shrine in Dehradun in honor of the martyrs of Uttarakhand, he mentioned.

The Prime Minister said that the Congress had no faith in the Chardham earlier but now they have started revering the shrine only as a way to get into power. On the other hand, for the BJP, Chardham has always stood for development, faith, culture, and public service.

Narendra Modi thanked Baba Kedarnath saying that with his blessings, the permission of the Election Commission, and the suitable weather conditions he has got the good fortune to visit Uttarakhand.