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Raising the issue of refugees, Narendra Modi today accused the government of giving undue favour to immigrants from Bangladesh while denying any facility for displaced persons from Pakistan.
Modi also strongly pitched for extending citizenship rights to refugees from Pakistan.
"If any one comes from Bangladesh then he is welcomed and all rules are broken for him. But the same is not done for refugees from Pakistan coming here," Modi said at an election rally here.
Sympathising with refugees from Pakistan, he said, "They come here because they love India. They have come from Pakistan not for any ulterior motives, but they are shouting Bharat Mata Ki Jai. They do not get any citizenship benefits. Why should they be denied? we need to end this politics of votebanks."
Assuring support to Pakistani refugees, he said, "I want to assure you that you are also like Indian citizens. We will do justice and give all rights to you."
Hitting out at votebank politics, the BJP's prime ministerial candidate said it has weakened the nation.
"If we want to save the country then we have to get rid of this votebank politics. If the votebank politics continued then our country will not progress and cannot be a modern nation," Modi said.
Barmer constituency in Rajasthan has generated a lot of interest as expelled BJP leader is contesting from here as an Independent, defying the party.
