Cong like termites, must wipe them out, says Modi in poll-bound Himachal

New Delhi: Hinting at a fresh crackdown against benami properties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday ridiculed the ruling Congress in Himachal Pradesh by likening it to “termites” and urging voters in the hill state to wipe out the party by giving an unequivocal mandate to the Bharatiya Janata Party in the November 9 Assembly elections.

“Himachal ko bimariyon se dur karne ke liye Congress rupi dimak ko Himachal ki jad se nikalkar phekna zaroori hain (Congress needs to be dumped to rid Himachal of its ailments),” Modi said.

Addressing a rally in Himachal Pradesh, the Prime Minister said the Congress’ campaign against demonetisation was driven by its attempts to mislead people and create an atmosphere against him before he can raise a “storm” over benami assets.

Modi also launched a scathing attack on Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh who is facing corruption charges.

He went on to add that if people elect a BJP chief minister in the state, development will increase like it did when Atal Behari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister and BJP leader Prem Kumar Dhumal was the state chief minister.

In the upcoming elections, the BJP has declared Dhumal as it chief ministerial candidate.

Chiding the Congress' decision to mark the first anniversary (November 8) of demonetisation as a “black day”, Modi said that it was actually “blackmoney day” for the Opposition party and other vested interests who are unhappy with him for his fight against corruption.