Jamnagar, March 4: With the tension continues between Indian and Pakistan after the Pulwama terror attack on February 14, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday sent the gathering into a burst of laughter when he made a gaffe and mixed up ‘Kochi’ with ‘Karachi’ while addressing a public meeting in Gujarat’s Jamnagar. PM Modi’s slip of tongue happened while he was speaking of the virtues of the Centre’s flagship Ayushman Bharat scheme.

While addressing the gathering, Modi said, “Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, if a resident of Jamnagar has gone to Bhopal and falls sick, he need not come back to Jamnagar for treatment. If he shows his (Ayushman Bharat) beneficiary card, he will get free treatment even in Kolkata and even in Karachi.” PM Modi in Gujarat: Rebuts Opposition's Attack on Rafale, Flags Off Bandra-Jamnagar Humsafar Express. 

Realising the mistake, PM Modi soon came back with his statement by saying, “Not Karachi but Kochi. Nowadays my mind is preoccupied with the thoughts of the neighbouring country.” Wearing a smile, he changed the topic and returned slammed Pakistan – without naming.

He said, “But that (airstrike in Pakistan) was also necessary. Should that be done or not.” Adding that he would not hesitate to strike at the root of the ‘illness of terrorism’ afflicting India.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 04, 2019 09:25 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).