Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday alleged that all Opposition parties in the country, including the Congress and the CPM, were hell-bent on removing him from power, even if that meant singing paeans to Pakistan.

Addressing a rally at Udaipur in Tripura’s Gomati district, Modi said, “This chowkidar is standing firmly to teach a hard lesson to those who are enemies of the country. You tell me those who are looting the money of poor people, if chowkidar should act against them? Should we not kill the terrorists by entering their homes?”

“The Congress and the CPM are working behind the curtains to remove this chowkidar because he worked against corruption, enemies of the country, terrorists, and for the development of the nation. They have stooped too low, singing paeans to Pakistan even when the NDA government was taking on the terrorists on the soil of the neighbouring country,” he added.

However, Modi said the people of Tripura were mature enough because they had chosen the BJP for the state and for the country. “Last year, people chanted chalo paltai (let’s change) here during the Assembly election. Whatever we have done, it’s only for you people and we are here on your support only,” Modi said. “Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamul Congress has been trying its best to make inroads into Tripura, but people here would not let that happen.”

Heaping praise on chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb, he said the state government has improved the law-and-order situation and developed infrastructure in just one year.

“Tripura is now well-connected well with the rail network of the country. Rajdhani Express, Deoghar Express, Tripurasundari Express were launched by the NDA government. Work is also under way to give the Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport an international makeover,” he said.

“The earlier government at the Centre didn’t give much attention to the development of the East and the Northeast. No one earlier thought about the indigenous people of the Northeast. Now you people are watching how the Northeast was developing,” he said.

His speech met resounding chants of “Modi, Modi” and “Main bhi chowkidar” among thousands gathered at the tightly packed, albeit small, ground.

Taking a jibe at the Congress manifesto, Modi said, “The grand old party came out with its 50-60 page hypocrisy document, where there is no mention of middle class. The middle class has long suffered under the Congress rule. Some parties, including the Congress, have said that more taxes should be levied on the middle class.”

The Tripura West and Tripura East Lok Sabha constituencies will go to polls on April 11 and 18 respectively. BJP state general secretary Pratima Bhowmik is contesting from Tripura West against sitting MP and CPM candidate Shankar Prasad Dutta and former BJP vice-president Subal Bhowmik, who is contesting on a Congress ticket this year.

BJP leader Rebati Mohan Tripura is contesting from Tripura East against sitting MP and CPM leader Jitendra Chaudhury and the Congress’s Pragya Deb Burman, sister of PCC president Pradyot Kishore Manikya Deb Burman.

Modi addressed another rally in Manipur capital Imphal on Sunday amid a 17-hour shutdown called by the Coordination Committee (CorCom), an umbrella organisation of militant groups.

The shutdown was imposed from 1am till 6pm.

Speaking at Hapta Kangjeibung in Imphal, Modi said, “Because of the strength people gave, today India has become a distinct country.”

Modi said without the support and blessings of the people he would not have enough strength to work for their welfare. “Because of the people’s blessings, connectivity had improved in the Northeast. The blockades and violence that continued for a long time was over. Because of the people’s support, the Northeast was becoming an important hub for Act East policy.”

He asked if there was any manufacturing hub during the Congress rule in Manipur whereas people here are now experts in manufacturing. “If the past government thought of the people, Modi would not have needed to take up connectivity projects. The past government did not encourage sportspersons. We have initiated the National Sports University here and moved forward to make the state a sports hub,” he added.

“The Congress has been playing political games with the people. The time has come to show the red card to the Congress,” he said.

“The government has taken up various projects for youth and women. Under Mudra Yojana, one lakh youth, including 7,000 women were given loans. Kisan Credit Cards have been provided to farmers. Health cover of Rs 5 lakh has been provided. Cooking gas has been provided to poor families. This could have been done by the Congress government. But they indulged in corruption,” Modi said.

Road transport, markets and businesses establishments remained shut down during the strike. Essential services were exempted.