Congress’ only agenda is to stop me: Modi

BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi looks on as party candidate from Mumbai, Poonam Mahajan, takes a 'selfie' with him at an election rally in Kalyan near Mumbai yesterday.

IANS/Thane, Maharashtra

The Congress is pursuing a single-point agenda of "Stop Modi" but the voting trend so far in the Lok Sabha election indicates that the ruling United Progressive Alliance is on its way out, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi said here yesterday.

Addressing an election rally in Kalyan town in Thane district, Modi said the Congress was not fighting to retain power or to win the election.

"It is only pursuing a single-point agenda 'Stop Modi' at any cost, as they apprehend they will be ruined," the Gujarat chief minister said at the rally where he shared the dais with Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray.

Shiv Sena is an ally of the BJP-led national Democratic Alliance.

Hitting out at the Congress, Modi said: "They have looted the country and all the wealth is kept in foreign banks."

"It must be brought back. People want it to be brought back. It is only those whose money is stashed abroad that are scared," he said.

Modi said this was the first general election in India that was not being fought by political parties or candidates. "It is the people who are fighting this election."

Citing acts of omission by the Congress-led UPA, Modi said they had promised to make India "slum-free" in five years, provide 100mn jobs and control inflation.

"Has this happened? The rulers in Delhi must reply, but they are keeping quiet. They have betrayed the people of the country. Instead, they are asking Modi to give replies," he said.

Modi also attacked Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi for his statement about "a prince on a white horse carrying a magic wand, who will solve all of India's problems."

"I was wondering who that prince could be. Then I realised that it must be one person with Rs1 lakh in his pocket, a Class 10 pass who is now worth Rs300 crore," Modi said, referring to Gandhi's brother-in-law Robert Vadra.

Modi said all these years, the Congress never faced a real challenge.

"But now, they are worried. A challenge is there, that too, from a chaiwala (tea vendor)," he said, referring to his own humble beginnings.

He urged the people not to be misled by the government's tactics and ensure that the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party alliance does not get a single seat out of 48 in Maharashtra.

"Vote for the NDA. Give us a strong government. We will give you a strong nation," he told the crowd.

Earlier in the day Modi said all corrupt leaders in the country would have to face trial if he is voted to power.

Speaking at an election meeting in Hardoi in Uttar Pradesh, Modi said if the BJP formed the government, he would ensure that politicians involved in graft were put behind bars.

"I will not spare anyone who is corrupt or has a criminal background," he said.

He added he would ask the Supreme Court to fast track cases against corrupt public representatives and urged the voters to go for clean politics.

At another rally in Etah in the same state, Modi replied to Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh who on Sunday said there was no Modi wave in the country but only Modi poison.

"I accept the allegations but the venom is for the thieves and for the corrupt politicians just to destroy them. This venom will only bring purification," Modi said.