Previous govt never allowed armed forces to act against Pak-based terrorists: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday attacked the opposition stating that the previous government never did permit the armed forces to act against Pakistan-based terrorists.

The BJP, that has made national security one of its main features in its 2019 manifesto, has been criticised for trying to use the cross border air strikes in Pakistan to garner votes in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, scheduled to commence from 11 April.

"When we attacked Pakistan’s terrorists…did you like it or not? Are you happy? Did I do the right thing?" he said to a roaring crowd in Chitradurga, about 200 kms from Bengaluru. He added that though Pakistan felt the pain of India's actions, tears could be seen among those in thr Congress and Janata Dal (Secualr) or JD(S).

Modi and the right wing have consistently attacked anyone who has questioned the impact of the air strikes, instantly branding them as 'anti-national'.

Modi also accused the Congress of being unable to deal with terror emanating from Pakistan and instead spread lies about Hindu terror.

Modi said that former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi had backstabbed JD(S) supremo H.D.Deve Gowda and removed the latter as PM. He cited this as the reason for Rahul Gandhi to contest from Kerala and not from Karnataka as the Congress president feared he could bear the brunt of revenge by the JD(S).

Modi said that Rahul Gandhi was aware of the mood in Karnataka and decided against contesting from here.

The PM is also campaigning on behalf of Sumalatha Amarnath (Sumalatha Ambareesh), the independent candidate from Mandya who the BJP has decided to support.