PM Modi tears apart Congress-NCP, asks people of Maharashtra to elect BJP

Branding the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) as parties indulging in corruption, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asked the people of Maharashtra to vote for a clean and strong government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"These people aren't 'rashtravadi' (nationalists), they are 'Bhrashtacharvadi' (those who indulge in corruption). Do you need people who take away your lands? We have to free the nation of such people. I have come here to urge you to ensure the BJP's victory," Prime Minister Modi said while addressing an election rally here.

"Amitabh (Bachchan) hosts 'Kaun Banega Crorepati'. The Maharashtra Government used to play Kaun Banega Arabpati every day," he added while taking a jibe at the Congress-NCP government, which ruled the state for fifteen years.

Carrying forward his mission of ousting the Congress, Prime Minister Modi also reached out to the farmers and women in the poll-bound state.

"What did you get in these 15 years? Did Maharashtra progress? Did farmers benefit? Did the youth benefit? Did Dalits benefit? Did tribals benefit? Did cities, villages benefit? Did women benefit?" Prime Minister Modi asked.

"Everyone has the same vision, the objective is to work for people who are disadvantaged, to benefit those who haven't had anything in 60 years," he added.

Citing the example of his recent visit to the United States, Prime Minister Modi further said, "The Congress asks what I have done. You tell me, the Congress was in power for many years, 'America mein kabhi Hindustan ka danka baja tha kya'. But it happened this time. Didn't the world look up and see? Didn't America pay attention?"

"These people who have ruled for 60 years and have done nothing are asking me what I have done in 60 days. In 60 months, I will rid the nation of problems, I promise," he added.

Invoking late BJP leader Gopinath Munde's legacy, Prime Minister Modi said, "Had Gopinath Munde been alive, I may not have had to come here. I had full faith in him. He looked after the poor, those from backward communities and farmers. Maybe God wanted him more than I did. Gopinath was my younger brother."

"I am appealing on his behalf, the country will only progress if Maharashtra progresses. Maharashtra will have to be saved..... Maharashtra needs a BJP government," he added.

Asserting that his aim is to make Maharashtra reach its topmost position in the country, Prime Minister Modi narrated a list of good things which his government has ensured for the state in his recent meetings with world leaders.

"We have to ensure that Maharashtra does better than Gujarat. China will make an industrial park in Maharashtra. Youth will get jobs. Japan will help with the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high speed rail. Maharashtra will progress," he said.