Jharkhand can become number one state, says PM Modi

Urging the people of Jharkhand to give the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) an absolute majority in the assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the state has potential to become the number one and drive the nation's progress forward.

"The BJP is committed to the overall development of Jharkhand. Bring us to power in state with absolute majority ; you know it very well what kind of demands are made when there is no majority government," Prime Minister Modi said at an election rally here.

Lauding Jharkhand for its potential in terms of its richness in minerals and other natural resources, he said, "Jharkhand has the potential to become number one state in the country. The strength which Jharkhand has cannot be matched by either Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Bihar or Uttar Pradesh. You have so much strength, you do not know about it, and the governments here did not bother about your strength. Your strength is your forests, land, minerals, coal. What is it that you don't have with you? God has blessed you with enough strength that you can take the entire country forward."

Reiterating his resolve to make toilets available in each and every household, Prime Minister Modi said, "My objective is to see that there is a toilet in every household."

He also took on the opposition and attacked the Congress for questioning about his government's performance.

"When polls are round the corner, some leaders make it a fashion to lie because they have nothing else to say. Congress leaders tell you that Modi hasn't done anything. Those who looted nation for 60 years are asking me about the work I have done in 6 months," he said.

The first of the five-phase polling in Jharkhand is underway. About 48 percent polling has reportedly been recorded till 1 p.m. in the state.

Counting of votes in Jharkhand will take place on December 23.