Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that there is a competition going on among Opposition parties for abusing the 'chowkidaar' after he "dared to end" the culture of corruption and middlemen which was earlier a normal practice.
He, however, said that he is "alert as ever".
"People of Bihar are aware of what all happened in the name of fodder. We have dared to end the culture of corruption and middlemen which was earlier a normal practice in the country for decades," Prime Minister Modi said while addressing a rally here.
"Those who used to earn money from poor and middle-class people are today worried because of the 'chowkidaar'. That is why a competition is underway these days to abuse the 'chowkidaar', but you be assured this 'chowkidaar' of yours is alert as ever," he said sharing the stage with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
His comments on RJD chief Lalu Yadav, undergoing imprisonment in connection with the fodder scam, came when he referred to the central government's PM-KISAN scheme. He said that around 1.5 crore farmers in Bihar and around 12 crore farmers across the country will benefit from the scheme.
Prime Minister Modi said, "When Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister, he started various schemes one after the other - new highways, making roads in villages, education for all, among others. But when Congress and its allies came to power, they slowed down the growth in all the schemes. The leaders of 'mahamilawat' only work for themselves and are less concerned about the country."
He said, "They all (Opposition leaders) say that let's get together to destroy Narendra Modi, and I say that lets get together and end terrorism. Their priority is to destroy Narendra Modi. My priority is to end terrorism, fight against poverty and put an end to corruption and black money."
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In his speech, the Prime Minister recalled his meeting with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman's when he visited India last month.
He said that when he requested the Crown Price to allow more Muslims from India to visit Saudi Arabia for Haj, he immediately agreed to it. The Saudi government had also ordered the release of 850 Indian prisoners lodged in jails.
"No other country's quota for Haj was increased other than that of India. India's voice is now being heard. For taking these decisions, I want to thank Saudi Arabia and its Crown Price from the core of my heart," Prime Minister Modi said.