Mission Shakti: Govt has taken measures to set up 'chowkidar' in space, says PM Modi in Odisha

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said his government had taken measures to keep watch in space, referring to Wednesday's Mission Shakti when India successfully tested an anti-satellite weapon. 

Speaking at a rally in Odisha, Modi asked people to vote for a government that can take concrete decisions and not just raise slogans.

According to the DRDO, a Ballistic Missile Defence Interceptor Missile successfully engaged an Indian orbiting target satellite in Low Earth Orbit in a 'Hit to Kill' mode. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced success of the test in a nation-wide broadcast. 

Launching his campaign in eastern India with a rally in Jeypore area of Odisha's Koraput district on Friday, the prime minister said the NDA government wouldn't have been able to do any development work in the country without the support of the people.

He sought blessings from his supporters for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and asserted that the NDA government has left no stone unturned to bring about development in the state.

"The NDA government has been working hard to develop road and rail infrastructure in the state. There is no dearth of funds when it comes to development work in the country.

"In the last five years, the government has been able to build homes for eight lakh families, light up 3,000 houses and provide gas connections to 40 lakh homes," Modi stated.

Referring to Mission Shakti, when India demonstrated anti-satellite (ASAT) missile capability by shooting down a live satellite, he said the government has taken measures to set up a 'chowkidar' (watchman ) in space.

"Odisha became a witness of a historic moment that showed the world India's capability. India can now do 'chowkidaari' in the space too," he said. 

He came down heavily on opposition parties who he said "belittled" the space achievement.

"Those that are criticising the anti-satellite technology will be given a befitting reply in the elections," he claimed, urging people to vote for a government that can take concrete decisions, not the one that only raises slogans. 

He also attacked the opposition parties for raising questions on Balakot airstrikes and said that Pakistan was still counting bodies.

"It has been a month (since airstrike) and Pakistan is still counting bodies. When India takes action against terrorists, enters their home and kills them then some here ask for proof," he said. 

Earlier, Modi made a brief stopover at Jagdalpur airport in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh on Friday, on his way to Odisha.

Modi arrived at Jagdalpur airport around 10.30 am by a special aircraft. He was there for a few minutes before proceeding to neighbouring Odisha, a local BJP leader said. 

BJP leaders, including Bastar MP Dinesh Kashyap and former MLA Santosh Bafna, welcomed Modi at the airport.

The PM took stock of the preparation of Lok Sabha polls in Bastar, the only constituency that will go to polling in the state in the first phase on April 11, he said.

"The PM left for Jeypore in Koraput district of Odisha at around 10.40 am," he added.

On his return journey from Odisha, the PM will again land at the Jagdapur airport in the afternoon and after a brief break of about 10 minutes, he will leave for his destination, the BJP leader said. 

(With PTI inputs)