Modi raps Channi, Kejriwal for playing divisive, separatist politics 

ABOHAR, February 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today lashed out at Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for playing divisive and separatist politics.

Addressing a mammoth rally here today, Modi condemned Channi’s statement that he will not let the people of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, whom he (Channi) derogatively described as ‘bhayas’, to come to Punjab in presence of Congress general secretary Ms Priyanka Gandhi, who was seen laughing while Channi was making these remarks.

Prime Minister Modi said, it was not only an insult to people of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar but to Guru Ravi Das and Guru Gobind Singh also. He reminded Channi that Guru Ravi Das, whose birth anniversary was yesterday and who has millions of followers in Punjab also, was born in Kashi, Uttar Pradesh. “Is it not an insult to Guru Ravi Das also as he was from Uttar Pradesh only?” he asked, while adding, “will you throw out Sant Ravi Dass also?”

The Prime Minister pointed out, even the Tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh was born in Patna Sahib. “Has he not disrespected Guru Gobind Singh also?” he asked further, while regretting that Ms Priyanka Gandhi was laughing when Channi was saying all this. He said Channi had insulted the sons of the soil, which had given birth to Guru Gobind Singh and Guru Ravi Das.

He said, Punjab’s and Punjabis’ relationship with Uttar Pradesh and Bihar is deep and sacred and Channi had insulted that relationship. He also said that there is not a single village in Punjab where people from UP and Bihar do not work. Will he throw everyone out, he asked.

The Prime Minister lashed out at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over the revelations made by renowned poet Kumar Vishwas, his ex-colleague and co-founder of the Aam Aadmi Party, that he (Kejriwal) was resorting to separatist politics to grab power in Punjab. Mr Modi said, Vishwas had revealed the real intentions of Kejriwal who can go to any extent to grab power in Punjab even if it meant dividing the country.

He said, they can even align with the separatists and anti-nationals. They speak the same language as that of Pakistan, he said, while adding, that is why they even questioned the valour of our soldiers and also doubted surgical strikes against that country. He warned people of Punjab against the designs of such people who were out to divide the country and push it back into dark days. “Their intentions are most dangerous”, he warned.

The Prime Minister said, Punjab was a border state and Pakistan always had an evil eye on this state. He said, Punjab needs a government, which will not only ensure its security but also its economic revival and only the BJP can provide that government. He said, during his visit to different parts of the state, today was his third rally in Punjab, he could see and sense the mood for a chance as people wanted to give BJP a chance.

Among others present on the occasion, included union minister Hardeep Singh Puri, the BJP state general secretary, Subash Sharma, party candidates Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi, Surjit Singh Jiyani and others.

The Abohar candidate Arun Narang could not attend the rally since he had contracted COVID. Prime Minister Modi made a special appeal to the people of Abohar to ensure his victory saying, “each one of you is the candidate in his absence”.