Coimbatore : Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday sought to know why the opposition parties were questioning his nationalism.

“Is it a crime to talk about it? It is that ‘nationalism’ that opened bank accounts for every Indian; gave electricity to 18,000 villages, pension to 42 crore Indians and built houses for 1.5 crore Indians, unlike the UPA”, Modi contended.

“We were nationalist, we are nationalists’ and will continue to remain nationalists,” Modi said.

Addressing a mammoth rally seeking votes for NDA candidates contesting from Coimbatore, Tirupur, Nilgiris, Erode and Pollachi, including C P Radhakrishnan of BJP here tonight, Modi said that the Lok Sabha elections will decide the future of the country in the 21st Century.

Stating that this election was between a stable NDA government and unstable opposition parties, he pointed out that NDA’s development schemes in the last five years had given a better life to millions of people in India.

With top priority given for the Defence sector, with a vision for a secure India,Tamil Nadu will have a major role when the proposed Defence corridor comes in. It will bring self-sufficiency to our Defence sector and provide employment to thousands, he said.

“Congress did little with regard to the security of the nation. Terrorists have killed our defence people and thousands of innocent people were killed too.

“Your own city saw a deadly terror attack in February 1998. The weak manner in which the United Front, Congress at the centre and the DMK in Tamil Nadu reacted is known to you all,” he recalled.

“Today’s India is different. Anyone who dares to attack us will be paid back in the same coin and with compound interest”.

“The Congress Manifesto is nothing but anti-Indian. It only makes the terrorists happy. India’s middle class decides the future of India but the Congress-DMK alliance has done nothing for them. There is no mention, even once, about the middle class in their manifesto. Votes for Congress means more taxes. Congress’ hatred for the middle class is not new,” he said.

Modi highlighted the NDA schems like Mudra, Start up and 59 minute- loans for MSMEs and said ‘this ‘chowkidar’ will never let down honest businesses.’ BJP will do everything possible for the benefit of MSMEs.

The GST in textile sector has always been modified based on suggestions from the industry. Out of the two lakh power looms upgraded, 60 percent were in Tamil Nadu, he pointed out.

“The time has come for women to lead development. Women were the major beneficiaries of our various welfare schemes.

“But the Congress and DMK are “anti-women” parties. DMK is a deeply patriarchal party and remember how badly they treated Jayalalithaa.”

“Water crisis is the major crisis that the world is facing today.

We will constitute a special task force to deal with the water shortage issue. We will work in mission mode for interlinking of rivers, cleaning of rivers and rainwater harvesting,” assured the prime minister.

Modi also urged first-time voters, “Young friends born in the 21st century will participate in the democratic process. Just like people devote their first salary for a better cause, devote your first vote for a better India.

Cast your vote for truth and stability. Cast your vote for the betterment of farmers. Never vote for dynastic politics.”

“130 crore people now believe in NDA. Every Indian has become a ‘chowkidar’ against terrorism, corruption and will work for better governance, he said.

Modi concluded his speech, saying “Naarpathum namadhe, naadum namadhe,” (all 40 constituencies in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are ours and the Country is ours.)