'Congress trying to save their party, BJP trying to save nation': Modi

Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on Sunday hit out at the ruling Congress Party, stating that they are only trying to save their party, while the saffron outfit is trying to save the nation.

"We have never seen such a bad condition of our country, where the nation is without leadership and any policy. They (Congress) are trying to save the party and we are trying to save the country,' he said while addressing the BJP National Council Meet here today.

"2014 elections are different from all others held before in the nation; these polls are a ray of hope for the people. The 2014 election is the election to bring India to the same summit that Vajpayee ji had brought us to before," he added.

He further asserted that regional aspirations should not be considered as a road block for the country to prosper, and added that regional aspirations could become an opportunity to progress.

Stressing on various underdeveloped areas, Modi assured that those regions would be a priority for the BJP government, added that if Atal Bihari and Morarji Desai governments could keep price rise or inflation at bay, so can the next BJP government after 2014.

"I want that PM and CMs of all states be part of one team and take the country forward together. Bad governance is responsible for problems faced by the people. We want to move forward with good governance. Every mother wants her son to study and become successful. We need to stress on education," he said.

"In last 10 years, Prime Minister only formed committees, but now the country needs commitment not committees. We need to make a mechanism to measure data in real time. There should be real time data for need and demand and then we can decide what is to be imported and exported. Farmers should not be exploited. There should be special courts to deal with black market cases," he added.

He further said that India can become a global brand with talent, trade, tradition, tourism and technology, while highlighting various measures needed in every sector to make the country self sustained.

"Why can't there be a white revolution in every city, and fulfill the milk requirements of the state? To make the farmers stronger, we need to work in this direction and we can change the current situation. There should be no compromise in education. Primary education should be strengthened. There should be an IIT, IIM and AIIMS in every city in the country," he said.

"We worry about disease but not health. We need health insurance for everyone. If we want a place of prestige in the global forum, we have to have our own branding. Tourism has a lot of power...terrorism divides, tourism unites,' he added.

Modi also attacked the Congress Party for not declaring their PM nominee at their AICC meet on Friday, and said that that the announcement was withheld because the Congress could visualize their defeat in the upcoming elections.

"There can be many reasons to run away from elections for Ms. Gandhi, I see political reasons but I see one more reason. There is a reason for Congress' decision not to announce PM candidate. They can see defeat is imminent, so will a mother sacrifice her son's future?" he asked.

He further hit out at UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi for calling it a Congress' tradition of not disclosing their PM candidate.

"Did a Parliamentary panel choose Rajiv Gandhi as Prime Minister? And here you are telling us about traditions. Parliamentary Committee of Congress did not choose Dr. Manmohan Singh as PM, it chose Soniaji as their PM. but Ms Gandhi nominated Dr Singh," he said.

Modi also took a jibe at Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, and said that Congress workers came to hear the name of their Prime Ministerial candidate, but went home with three cylinders.

"Congress representatives across the country came to Delhi with hope. They were told that the Congress PM candidate will be disclosed. Congress workers came for a PM, went home with three cylinders instead," he said.

Senior BJP leader L K Advani, party president Rajnath Singh were present at the meet among others.