Modi for separate model for Himalayan states

He also told the gathering that it was God’s wish that he do good work in Uttarakhand. “Please give me power. Achche kaam karna mere naseeb mein likha hai (It is in my fate to do good work),” he said.

Referring to the work done by the Gujarat government after the 2001 earthquake, he said he has dealt with disaster in the past. Uttarakhand was ravaged by flash floods last year. Modi also made an indirect reference to the Congress government in the state denying him permission to visit the Kedar valley after last year’s tragedy.

“The politics of casteism, communalism and nepotism has done enough damage and the only way left now is politics of development,” he said. He also alleged there had been no improvement in the situation in the state since the mid-June disaster.

Attacking the Congress, he said, “They wait for an opportunity for the CBI to put me in jail. The more they try to put me in jail, the more they put me in the hearts of people.”

Vikram Batra’s mother objects to Modi remarks

SHIMLA: The mother of Kargil war hero Capt Vikram Batra, whose famous catchphrase, “Yeh dil maange more (this heart wants more)”, was used by Narendra Modi at three rallies in Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday, has slammed the BJP’s PM candidate for using her son’s name to get votes.

Kamal Kanta Batra, who is contesting from Hamirpur as the AAP candidate, said, “ I am shocked to hear how Modi used the martyr’s name to get votes during rallies in Palampur — Batra’s hometown — and also two other places.”

Kanta said even she has not used her son’s name during campaigning.

“For the past 15 years, no one, including Modi or his party, cared to ask about our family’s well being after Capt Batra’s supreme sacrifice in the Kargil war. Now, he has suddenly remembered the martyr. It hurts my feelings…,” she added. ENS