Modi accuses Bihar's grand alliance of "sheltering" terrorists

Darbhanga: Scaling up his attack on grand alliance leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday accused them of playing with nation's security by "sheltering" those promoting terror and asked if such people should be allowed to form government in the state.

Winding up his campaign blitzkrieg in Bihar where he addressed about 30 election rallies, Modi also attacked Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad on the quota issue, claiming he has "exposed" their "lies" and attempts at giving the assembly polls a "casteist colour".

Modi has been repeatedly targeting the alliance for allegedly trying to "snatch away" 5 per cent share in reservation for dalits, tribals and backwards and give it to a "particular community".

"When there were blasts in Pune and Mumbai and a dalit police officer was investigating the 'Darbhanga module' of terror, its strings touched some leaders closely associated with those in power.

"While no action was taken against those encouraging and blessing people involved in terrorist activities, the brave policewoman seeking to find the truth was forced to leave Darbhanga and Bihar.

"Do you want such people to rule in Patna who play with the country's security, those who shelter terrorists and encourage them? Do you want a government of such people? Do you want terrorism to enter this land of Bihar? Do you want Bihar to become a land of bomb blasts?" he asked.

He exhorted people to elect a BJP-led NDA government instead.

The Prime Minister said while he talked of uplifting Bihar through development, the grand alliance leaders tried to enact a "drama" and gave "casteist colour" to the assembly polls by spreading "imaginary fears" about a move to scrap quotas.

"They are spreading imaginary fear and lies about reservation and their courtiers sitting in Delhi are also shouting loudly. I have exposed them (Lalu and Nitish) and they are unable to stand up. They sought review of reservation in Parliament and from a common platform on July 23 and 24, 2005. They wanted to reduce the reservation for dalits, tribals and backwards and to give it on religious lines to a particular community, so they could remain in power.

"I have punctured their balloon and they are now unable to stand up and face the public...Now when I have exposed them by releasing their video and speeches, they have stopped talking of reservation over the past week and are running away," he said.