Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he was immediately apprised about the blasts at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan in October 2013 but he did not stop his speech abruptly as it would have triggered a stampede.
In an interview to ABP News, the PM said that despite hearing the sound of the bombs going off, he tried his best to play it down during his speech to the massive gathering to prevent an even bigger tragedy.
When asked to comment on the opposition charge that he was shooting for a programme in Uttarakhand on the day of the Pulwama terror attack, the PM said that it was a routine programme and he had no inkling of an attack on CRPF convoy that left 40 troopers dead.
“Certain things must be handled properly. I was in Patna in October 2013, addressing a massive gathering in Gandhi Maidan. A series of blasts hit that rally and people were dying. I was immediately informed of the incident but I did not show any reaction. My critics asked why I didn’t stop the speech. Had I said or done something abruptly, there could have been a stampede. That’s why I didn’t stop the speech. What would have happened had I told the gathering what was happening?” the PM said, adding that he did not go for a public meeting after Pulwama and addressed it briefly on mobile.
At least six people were killed and scores injured on 27 October 2013 when a series of blasts rocked Gandhi Maidan and the adjoining areas including Patna Railway Station. On that day, PM Modi, who was then the BJP Prime Ministerial candidate, was addressing over 30,000 supporters at the venue.
In his interview to the channel, the PM also said that the opposition seeks votes of the minority communities through fear mongering.
“Some people prefer votes by tying politics to a limited sphere, misleading Muslims and using fear tactics. Call it our strength or weakness, we do not approve of such ideologies. That’s why we are abused yet carry on with our mantra of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas,” the PM said.