Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday said only a strong government can punish terrorists and achieve development, and alleged the Congress and its allies were fighting the elections to give a free hand to terrorists.
Addressing a poll rally at Hathuad in Balod district of Chhattisgarh, Modi also said the "naamadar" (dynast) of the Congress (apparently referring to Rahul Gandhi) party had to run away to find a "safe" seat.
The Congress president is contesting the Lok Sabha polls from two seats -- Uttar Pradesh's Amethi and Kerala's Wayanad.
When the government is strong, the country does not sit quiet after a terror attack, the prime minister told the audience. "Didn't you feel proud when the country punished perpetrators of terror."
"When there is a strong government," Modi said, "there is surgical strike and air strike and the world listens to us."
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