'They neither have leader nor intent', PM Modi targets INDIA bloc at poll rally in Punjab's Patiala

Mohit Khanna and Aman Sood

Shambhu/Patiala, May 23

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the INDIA bloc neither have a leader nor  an intent, claiming that on the one side there is the BJP and NDA and on the other ‘bhrashtachariyon ka INDI gathbandhan’.

Modi was addressing his first Lok Sabha election rally in the state, at Polo Ground, Patiala.

The PM reached the rally venue amid farmers’ agitation at various points in the district and was welcomed by BJP’s Patiala candidate Preneet Kaur, Faridkot candidate Hans Raj Hans, Sangrur candidate Arvind Khanna, Bathinda candidate Parampal Kaur and party’s state chief Sunil Jakhar, among others.

Addressing the gathering, the PM said the INDI alliance wants to divide country and society but Modi wants to make India ‘Viksit Bharat’.

He also targeted Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, saying he is a ‘kagzi CM’ who is always busy marking his presence in ‘Delhi darbar’.

Earlier in the day, farmer unions supporting the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) protesting at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders started their march towards Polo Ground, the venue of Modi’s rally.

The farmers are camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points since February 13 when their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march was stopped by security forces.

SKM (Non-Political) leaders Jagjit Singh Dallewal, Sarwan Singh Pandher, Amarjeet Singh Mohri,  Manjeet Singh Rai, who are spearheading the Shambhu and Khanauri Morcha protests, had insisted on talks with PM Modi and said that in case they were not invited, they would move towards the rally venue and show black flags.

Kuldeep Singh Bhateri of BKU (Behru group), Baldev Singh Damheri and Jagjit Singh of Indian Farmer Association said that they were peacefully protesting at Dhareri Jattan toll plaza as the police didn’t let them proceed towards the rally venue.