SAD-BJP needed in Punjab for country's protection from Pakistan: PM Modi

Kotkapura (Punjab) [India], Jan. 29 (ANI): Invoking security threats from Pakistan as a bid to woo voters, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday took on the Congress party and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), saying that Punjab, which shares the border with the neighbouring country, needs a strong government to protect not only the state, but the whole country from infiltrators from across the border. He also urged the people of the state to not vote for outsiders, but for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). "The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-BJP coalition government is necessary in the state not only for Punjab's security but for the country's need," he said, while addressing an election rally at Kotakpura in Faridkot district of Punjab ahead of the assembly polls in the state. He added, "Don't rely on those have aristocratic life style and the outsiders for state and country's security. We have to ensure that we have a strong government. You have to ensure that you vote properly." Prime Minister Modi also alleged that it was the Congress that defamed the Sikhs in the 1980s and called them terrorists and now it is the AAP which is calling the youth of the state 'drug addicts'. "Congress labelled youth of state as terrorists. Few others are calling them drug addicts. That cannot be accepted," Prime Minister Modi said. Making a veiled attack on the AAP and the Congress, the Prime Minister warned those who were bad mouthing the outgoing Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. "People are speaking wrong about Badal Sahab. This is not at all acceptable for a leader of his stature. And when these people are not honest, how can we expect them to speak well about Badal Sahab? They will not think about the welfare of the people of the state," Modi said. "What matters most for Badal Sahab is welfare of Punjab, its farmers and the people," Prime Minister Modi added. He also laid down the BJP's plans for the development of the state. "We want our farmers to prosper. So, we have initiated several measures. We have brought Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana for them," he said. "An ethanol production plant will also be set up soon in the state," he added. Punjab goes to the assembly polls for 117 seats on February 4. (ANI)