Launching a frontal attack on Congress for raising the slogan ‘Modi Teri Kabar Khudegi’ (Modi, your grave will be dug), Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the people of the country were clearly saying ‘Modi tera kamal khilega’ (Modi, your lotus will bloom).

Addressing an election meeting in Shillong, Modi said the people of Meghalaya did not want a ”family first” government but a ”people first” government.

He said he could see a wave in favour of the BJP throughout Meghalaya and hoped the people of the state would vote for the saffron party in the upcoming Assembly polls. “The people of the country will give a befitting reply to the people who are immersed in sadness and are using offensive thinking and language,” he said. The people of Meghalaya and Nagaland would also give a befitting response to such people.

Congress leaders allegedly raised the ‘Modi Teri Kabar Khudegi’ slogan after party spokesperson Pawan Khera was prevented from boarding a flight to Chhattisgarh’s Raipur at the Delhi airport on Thursday. A video of the same was also circulated on social media platforms.

“Today, lotus has become synonymous with strength, peace and stability of Meghalaya. When I think of Meghalaya, I think of talented people and vibrant traditions. I am here with a message of hope and development. India is scaling new heights of success and Meghalaya is making a strong contribution to it. We want to build it further and work for the state,” the PM said.

“Be it youth, women, traders, or government servants, everyone is asking for a BJP government. The sentiment in support of BJP in Meghalaya, as well as Northeast, is a result of the selfish act by a few families. Meghalaya’s interests were never given priority… You were divided on small issues. This politics has done you a lot of harm… It has done a lot of harm to the youth here,” he said.

The PM accused previous governments in the state of focusing on greed instead of developing Meghalaya. “But things have changed for the better after the BJP came to power at the Centre in 2014 and took initiatives to develop Meghalaya and the rest of the Northeastern region,” he said.

Modi said it would be easier for him to serve the people of Meghalaya from Delhi if the BJP formed a government in the state. ”I have been blessed to be here and I thank everyone for the love showered on me during the roadshow. This love and blessings from the people of Meghalaya will be repaid by bringing development to Meghalaya,” he said.

Meghalaya will go to Assembly polls on 27 February along with Nagaland. Counting of votes will take place on 2 March.