Modi launches mega NCR projects, makes 400 pitch

Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened a clutch of infrastructure, health care and cultural projects in the national capital region (NCR) on Friday, using the occasion to underscore his government's developmental record and hit out at the Opposition just weeks before general elections are scheduled to be announced.

- Abhishek Behl

Speaking in Rewari town in Haryana, Modi reiterated that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was set to get more than 370 seats in the Lok Sabha polls, and the National Democratic Alliance would cross the 400-seat mark, as he inaugurated projects worth 29,750 crore. This included laying the foundation stone of the All India Institute of Medical Science, Rewari and the Gurugram Metro.

Modi said India had touched new heights in the world and it was made possible because of people's blessings. Referring to his visits to the UAE and Qatar this week, he said the respect India gets from every corner is for every Indian. He also spoke about his government's record of delivering welfare to all sections of society, including farmers.

He attacked the Congress for failing to remove Article 370 in Kashmir, and creating hurdles in the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. "We had promised the people that we would construct the Ram Temple, which has been realised.

The Congress used to mock Lord Ram and call him a mythical character... now even Congress leaders are saying Jai Shri Ram," Modi said.

He said that he had guaranteed that he would remove Article 370, which bestowed special status on the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

"Now despite incessant hurdles put in place by the Congress, Article 370 has been lost in the pages of history.

Today, Kashmiri women, dalits, marginalised and tribal communities have begun receiving their rights. That is why people have resolved that those who removed 370, they will get more than 370 seats. The BJP will get more than 370, and the NDA will be past 400," he said.