Dynasty’s interest, commissions above national interest for Congress: Modi

Amethi, March 3 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lashed out at the previous Congress governments, alleging that they kept the defence forces exposed to the enemy's bullets for several years at failing to get commissions in defence deals and to protect the "dynasty".

"They always put personal interest over national interest," he said at a public rally in his first visit to Congress President Rahul Gandhi's Lok Sabha constituency as Prime Minister. He had come to Amethi before polling in 2014 general elections to request people to vote for his "sister Smriti Irani".

Modi stressed how efforts to get the Indian Air Force state-of-art fighter jets in form of Rafale were delayed and blocked by the Congress.

"As we expedite the process, the first Rafale jets will be in Indian skies soon," he said while charging the Congress with spreading falsehoods about the Rafale deal.

"Every one from the Supreme Court to the CAG have cleared the deal as one which is transparent and in national interest... (but) some people were still spreading misinformation... the dismay of not getting their cuts and commissions in defence deals is writ large on their faces," he said.

Tearing into Rahul Gandhi, without specifically naming him, the Prime Minister said between 2009 to 2014, demands of providing 1.86 lakh bulletproof jackers for defence forces was neglected.

"It was our government that ordered 2.3 lakh bullet proof jackets. Development and national interest was blocked for years because it did not suit power centres in that party and the dynasty," he alleged.

Referring to the ordinance factory, whose foundation he laid here, and will produce AK-203 assault rifles and subsequently export to other countries, Modi said that this work had begin way back in 2009.

"You can see for yourself their seriousness towards you and development," he said as people started shouting slogans of "Rahul Gandhi chor hai".

After Defence Minister Nirmala Sitaraman read out Russian President Vladimir Putin's message extending his good wishes for the joint Indian-Russian venture, Modi said while Gandhi had in his speeches promised that he "would ensure Made in Ujjain, Made in Jabalpur", he had made it possible that its 'Made in Amethi' for these assault rifles.

He said that Gandhi had promised 1,500 jobs to local youth while only 200 were given and "now this person is going around the country, giving lectures on employment".

Modi, who inaugurated nine projects built at a cost of Rs 538 crore and laid foundation stones of eight others, also accused Gandhi of neglecting his constituency.

Referring to a cycle factory which was to come up in Amethi, the Prime Minister said while land was allotted and hopes kindled, it was later taken away, through the back door, for personal use.

"People who do not have a fair vision, a fair sense of empathy with the poor cannot be trusted. Those whose intentions are bad, how will they ensure the welfare of the country," he said.

Referring to Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani, he said that she was sent to Amethi to fight the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and though she may not have won the electoral battle, she had certainly won the hearts of people here.

Lauding the zeal with which she had taken care of the constituency since 2014, the Prime Minister said Amethi was a glaring example of how his government followed the principle of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'.

"We have shown here and elsewhere too that we will work relentlessly for people who have voted for us and even for those who have not," he said.