Attacking the coming together of SP and BSP in Uttar Pradesh for the Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said their leaders were worried about their misdeeds and were now working to defeat the 'chowkidar' (watchman) who was all out to expose their "misdeeds".
Addressing a public meeting here, he said the opposition leaders were trying to close ranks to stop investigative agencies from acting against them but asserted that the government would not stop until each paise of looted public money was unearthed and accounted for.
In an apparent reference to mining scam in Uttar Pradesh allegedly involving Akhilesh Yadav as Mininig Minister, Modi said the then government "plundered" public money to fill their own coffers.
"People who hated each other... Everything is forgotten... the guest house incident of Lucknow (an apparent reference to the attack on Mayawati during the regime of Mulayam Singh Yadav in 1995), the Muzaffarnagar riots and much more are now forgotten and they are striking alliances.
"The agenda is: Save your skin and work to defeat Modi, because the 'watchman is alert now'."
The SP and BSP are close to stitching an alliance in Uttar Pradesh to take on the BJP in the coming general elections.
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Modi asked the crowd whether or not he should perform his duties as a 'watchman' working honestly.
When people responded 'yes', the Prime Minister said all conspiracies against him would be defeated and the investigative agencies would not stop until each paise of public money looted was unearthed and accounted for.
Calling himself a 'chowkidar' who is ever vigilant, Modi said that political leaders involved in scandals and corruption should be ready to pay for their misdeeds.
"The 'chowkidar' is vigilant, alert and working 24x7. No amount of political conspiracies and alliances will be able to stop my war against corruption," he said.
He was addressing people after laying foundation stones and inaugurating developmental projects worth Rs 3,500 crore.
He also targeted the Congress, saying its leaders were now jittery because "Michel Mama" -- a reference to British middleman Christian Michel -- was in custody of government agencies regarding the Augusta Westland scam.
"Now that he is in India, these Congress leaders are sweating, so much so that they have hired a lawyer to protect him from the law."
He slammed Congress leaders for insulting and humiliating India's first woman Defence Minister.
"You all have seen how Congress leaders tried to disrespect Nirmala Sitharaman in the Lok Sabha when she was exposing their bundles of lies bit by bit, he said referring to the debate in Lok Sabha on the Rafale deal.
"They thought Modi was like other politicians and that he will rust with time but they find me the same man I was four years back and now they are scared," he added.
Modi said he would continue on the path of "sabka saath sabka vikas" with dedication and honesty, spelling out his "five principles of development" -- medicine, livelihood, education, irrigation and redress of grievances.
Referring to the Bill for 10 per cent reservation for upper castes, he said the existing status had not been disturbed and nobody's interest had been hurt. Only an extra provision had been made, he added.
Making a strong pitch for development, the Prime Minister said the credo of his government --development for all -- was a mission in which it wanted the fruits of development should reach all sections of the youth, irrespective of caste, creed, religion or region.
--IANS
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