Indian PM Modi says Opposition's '101 abuses' have made him 'gaali proof'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again accused the 'INDIA' bloc of indulging in "vote bank politics"in yet another veiled dig at the Congress party's purported minority-centric policy viewpoints. Modi accused Congress of undermining the constitutional rights of Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in an interview with news agency ANI.

"I want to alert the SC, ST and Other Backward Class people because by keeping them in darkness they (Opposition) are looting them. Election is such a time, that I should make the countrymen aware of the biggest crisis that is coming. Therefore, I have been explaining this to the people. The basic spirit of the Constitution of India is being violated and that too for the sake of vote bank politics. Those who call themselves the well-wishers of Dalits, Tribals, are in reality their staunch enemies. There is an imprint of the Muslim League in their manifesto. Do you want to destroy the coming generations also for the sake of vote bank? I will fight for the rights of my Dalit, Tribal, and OBC brothers and sisters. And that's why I am fighting the battle," he told ANI.

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Asked about personal attacks duringelection campaigns, PM Modi said, "As far as Modi is concerned, after being continuously abused for the last 24 years, I have become 'gaali proof' (abuse proof). Who called me the 'maut ka saudaagar' (merchant of death) and 'gandi naali ka keeda' (vermin)? Our party member in the parliament did the calculation and counted 101 abuses, so whether there is election or no election, these people (Opposition) believe that only they have the right to abuse and they have become so frustrated that now abusing has become their nature..."

On the Opposition's allegations that PM Modi will end reservation, the PM said, "They have committed this sin. I am speaking against that and that's why they have to use such things to lie."

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Referring to the state of affairs in Odisha where parliamentary and state assembly polls are being held simultaneously, Modi said, "The fate of Odisha is about to change, the government is changing. I have said that the expiry date of the current Odisha government is June 4 and on June 10, the BJP CM will take oath in Odisha"

On Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's allegation that PM Modi decides who will go to jail, PM Narendra Modi said, "It would be better if these people read the Constitution, read the law of the country, I do not need to say anything to anyone."

The voting for six of India's seven-phase elections has concluded. The last and seventh phase of polling is set to be held on June 1. The counting of votes is scheduled to take place on June 4.

(With inputs from agencies)