‘Doob maro’: Modi tells Oppn leaders in Maharashtra over Article 370 stance

Shiv Kumar
Tribune News Service
Mumbai, October 16

Attacking the opposition leaders for accusing him of diverting people’s attention from Maharashtra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said they should drown themselves in shame.

“The shameless opposition (leaders) are asking what is the connection between Article 370 and Maharashtra ... We are proud of Maharashtra’s children who sacrificed everything for Jammu and Kashmir. But for political gains some people are asking what has Maharashtra got to do with Jammu and Kashmir? Doob maro! Doob maro!” Modi said at an election rally in Akola district.

He went on to say that the people of Maharashtra are happy that Article 370 has been removed.

“They are suffering because the Article 370 they nurtured has been finished off and thrown at the feet of the people,” Modi said.

The PM went on to praise Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and said the opposition leaders insulted him by denying the Bharat Ratna.

Modi also referred to references to NCP leader Praful Patel’s alleged links with the underworld.

“Now we know why those who set off bombs in Mumbai could escape from the country. All we want to know is how those who set off bombs in Mumbai’s trains and buses could escape to the enemy country,” he said without naming anyone.

Modi’s remarks comes amidst summons being issued to NCP leader Praful Patel by the Enforcement Directorate over his alleged links to Iqbal Mirchi, an associate of Dawood Ibrahim.

Addressing another rally at Panvel in Maharashtra, Modi called on the people to give another term to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

“When Narendra and Devendra stand together then 1+1 becomes 11 and not 2,” Modi said.

Speaking of development in the township bordering Mumbai and Pune, Modi said two lakh houses were being built for slum dwellers.

“Every person including those from the poor and the middle-class can dream of their own home,” Modi said.

He spoke of the scheme under which affordable houses are given subsidies by the government under the PM
Awas Yojana.

“We are giving subsidies on the interest of home loans for people with who earn less than 18 lakh annually,” Modi said.

Addressing the fishing community in this township, Modi said the government has made it easier for fishermen to obtain bank loans for buying newer boats.

He, however, requested fish sellers to stop using single use plastic.

“We need your support to stop the usage of single-use plastic which damages the marine eco-system,” Modi said.

Modi also spoke of the massive infrastructure construction being undertaken in Mumbai and its outskirts.