Hussainabad (Jharkhand): Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said Naxals would be rooted out from the country by 2023.
Rebels and terrorists came in the way of the country's security and would be crushed, Singh told a poll rally here.
Naxals had been almost eliminated in Jharkhand and their remaining pockets in the state would end soon, he said.
Singh, who was campaigning in support of Palamau (SC) constituency sitting BJP MP V D Ram, claimed that Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and Congress had joined hands in the state due to their "lust for power" but would not be successful in achieving their goal.
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There was no leader in the opposition to match the stature of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and those who appear to be leaders in the opposition were "dwarfs" compared to him, he said.
Referring to developmental schemes like the Ujjwala Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Jan Dhan Yojana, the union minister said the BJP was committed to ushering in development of the country by 2022 and it's poll manifesto reflected it.
Ridiculing opposition parties seeking proof of bodies in the aftermath of Balakot air strikes, Singh said the air force's job was to hit the terror camps, which was carried out, and not count bodies.
"Our leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was then in the opposition, had praised the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi after the 1971 war against Pakistan and creation of Bangladesh. But now that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had taken a big step (Balakot air strike) the opposition leaders are raising questions instead of praising him," said Singh.
After Pulwama attack, all the countries, including Islamic countries, stood with India. "India's policy is not to fire the first bullet but to respond strongly to any bullet fired at it", he said.
Addressing another rally in neighbouring Chatra Lok Sabha constituency for BJP's sitting MP Sunil Kumar Singh, the union home minister said that Garibi-Mukt Bharat could only be possible only when there was a Congress-Mukt Bharat.
In the last five years, the BJP-led NDA government made notable achievements in opening bank accounts for the poor, building roads, distribution of gas cylinders and its housing scheme and according to a survey report 7.5 crore people were taken out of poverty, he added.
Palamau goes to the polls along with Chatra and Lohardaga (ST) seats in the fourth phase of polling on April 29, which will be the first phase for Jharkhand.
