lok-sabha-elections

Updated: Apr 30, 2019 01:09 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the “mission mahamilavat” of the Opposition is keen to form a “khichdi” government at the Centre, the strings of which will remain in the hands of the Congress.

He was referring to the Opposition’s efforts to stitch up state-specific alliances to oust the Centre’s ruling BJP.

Addressing a poll rally in Jamua under the Koderma Lok Sabha seat in support of BJP candidate Annapurna Devi, Modi alleged that the grand alliance of opposition parties does not, at any cost, want a government with absolute majority. “The mission mahamilavat [adulteration] wants a khichdi [hotchpotch] government at the Centre, and its strings would remain in the hands of the Congress, as the party knows it cannot form a government on its own under any circumstance,” he said.

He also accused the Congress of rallying behind parties to destabilise governments. “Around two decades ago, a similar mission mahamilavat tried to stop Atal Bihari Vajpayee from becoming the PM... the Congress rallied behind some parties, resulting in change of governments and prime ministers every two-three years,” Modi said.

As India voted in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections, Congress president Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on PM Modi over jobs and alleged “corruption” in the Rafale military jet deal. The Modi government has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in the deal for the French aircraft.

In Rajasthan, he also talked about the Congress’s proposed minimum income guarantee scheme for the poorest. “I am not here to lie. Our Nyay scheme will jumpstart the economy... We will deposit Rs 3.60 lakh in five years in bank accounts of five crore women,” he said in Dholpur’s Sepau town. The Congress has promised to give an annual income support of Rs 72,000 to the poorest 20 per cent families under the scheme if comes to power.

In Churu, a group of youngsters wearing T-shirts that highlighted his slogan — “chowkidar chor hai” — caught his eye. Gandhi said Modi had promised Rs 15 lakh in the bank accounts of all Indians and asked whether anyone present in the rally has got it.