Mocking Pakistan without naming it, he said a neighbouring country that exported terrorism was now struggling for a basic necessity like bread

"You all are seeing that war clouds are hovering over the world. When there is an atmosphere of war in the world... incidents are taking place. At this moment, Bharat badly needs a strong government that will work on a war footing. Do you agree with me?" he asked the gathering while addressing an election rally at Damoh in Madhya Pradesh

His comments came in the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, Iran's missile and drone attack on Israel and rising tension in West Asia

"Bharat needs a government that is capable of protecting it in any situation. And this work can happen only when there is a BJP government in place with an absolute majority," he emphasised on a day when the the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, being held in seven phases, kicked off with voting in more than 100 seats

"How a stable and strong government works was clearly evident during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic," he pointed out

The PM underscored that crores of people were vaccinated against COVID-19 for free during the pandemic and the poor were supplied free ration

"Today, the country has a government that neither comes under pressure nor bows before anyone," asserted the BJP's star campaigner

"Our principle is nation first. To ensure that India gets cheap oil, we took a decision in the country's interest," he said