Says Shinde’s talk of nabbing don is empty rhetoric

Suggesting a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, said on Saturday that government should do more and speak less when it comes to capturing terrorists like the underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.

“Terrorism, Maoism, narco-terrorism and fake currency, all these issues are destroying the country from within. The government should have a zero-tolerance policy against them,” Mr. Modi told the channel Sandesh News channel. He advocated a mix of stringent steps and soft approach to end the Maoist problem.

On India’s goal of nabbing Dawood and Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde’s statement to that effect, he said: “Why is the Indian government not able to get Dawood? Do these things happen through the medium of newspapers? Did the U.S. issue a press note before they killed bin Laden? Did the U.S. government hold a press conference saying they will go on this particular date to get bin Laden? I am ashamed that that the Union Home Minister is giving such statements.”

Elect a strong government, Modi urges youth

The BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, has urged young people in the 18-28 age group to vote for a strong government at the Centre to save their future from falling apart.

He told the television channel Sandesh News: “The age of 18 to 28 is a golden period. All your life’s decisions are made in this period. If any decision goes wrong, you bear the consequences for life. Similarly, if a nikammi sarkar [ineffective government] comes for five years, the lives of those between 18 and 28 will be destroyed. Your downfall is certain. You should decide in favour of a strong government at the Centre, which works to fulfil your dreams. A youth between 18 and 28 can change the fate of this nation and can give a strong government to this country.”

Although known for using social media for his campaign, he dismissed their reach.

“Even today, a large number of Indian youths do not have access to social media, because Internet connectivity is minimal — not over three to four per cent. In comparison to the print and electronic media, things go viral in social media. For some reason, people trust social media more, because the common people are voicing opinions. You also see a lot of creativity. I realise the importance of its strength, but its scope is very limited,” he said.

Mr. Modi said the National Democratic Alliance had a groundswell of public support and the Congress was desperately trying to stay afloat.