Narendra Modi kicks off Lok Sabha election campaign, addresses rallies in Meerut, Akhnoor and Rudrapur
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched BJP’s poll campaign in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut, Uttarakhand’s Rudrapur and Jammu and Kashmir’s Akhnoor

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched BJP’s poll campaign in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut, Uttarakhand’s Rudrapur and Jammu and Kashmir’s Akhnoor on Thursday. His speeches focussed on the issues of national security, welfare schemes and the Opposition’s failures. PTI

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Modi also tore into the opposition parties by coining an acronym ‘SARAB' (alcohol) from the initial letters of the Samajwadi Party (SP), Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) alliance and urged people to “stay away from ‘SARAB' in the polls. PTI

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At the Vijay Sankalp rally in Meerut, Modi said that the people had to choose between ‘a decisive government and an indecisive past’, highlighting the launch of the anti-satellite missile launch on Wednesday, which established India’s space capabilities. PTI

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Modi also referred to his famous ‘chowkidar’ campaign, adding that India was witnessing for the first time a government that knows how to deliver. He hit out at the ‘daagdaar’ (tainted) Opposition, saying that the BJP is ‘dumdaar’ (strong). Seen here is Modi and Main Bhi Chowkidar merchandise at the Meerut rally venue. Reuters

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At his rally in Akhnoor, his first in Jammu and Kashmir, Modi referred to the Balakot strikes and said that terrorists across the border are now living fear. PTI

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Switching between Dogri and Hindi, Modi mocked Congress chief Rahul Gandhi’s ‘happy World Theatre Day’ tweet after the A-SAT missile launch on Wednesday. He said that while India created history by taking a step to ensure the country’s security, the Opposition is making critical statements. AP

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Modi sharply criticised the Congress for its promise to alleviate poverty by saying that the rival party has been offering the same lure of ‘garibi hatao’ since decades. He urged the people to remove the Congress in order to do away with poverty. PTI

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Lashing out at the Opposition for constanting demanding proof of India’s air strikes in Balakot on 27 February, Modi asked the people at the Akhnoor rally if they wanted ‘saboot’ (proof) or ‘sapoot’ (good son). AP