PM Modi urges Jharkhand voters to ensure clear majority for BJP

Promising to work for the development of Jharkhand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his second election rally on Friday, asked voters of the poll-bound state to ensure that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sweeps to power in the state with a clear majority.

"You have given a government in Delhi that works for you; I want the same government in Jharkhand. You too should vote for a government of clear majority and give me a chance to serve you. I want to work for the development of Jharkhand," the Prime Minister said.

Prime Minister Modi further pointed out that when he had last visited the state, while contesting the Lok Sabha polls, the ground was not even half full whereas now there was no space left anymore.

Promising to turn around the fortunes of the farmers in the state, Prime Minister Modi said he had asked Australian scientists to help Indian farmers produce more with limited land.

"Only development can solve our issues and free us from our sorrows. Our farmers do not ask for bungalows, they don't ask for cars, they just ask for water. I visited Australian scientists and asked them how my farmers can produce more with limited agricultural land," he said to an adoring audience.

Taking his critics head-on, the Prime Minister said, "People think what kind of a Prime Minister is this, who wants to build toilets in the nation. I say this is the same Prime Minister who wants a life of dignity and respect for the daughters and mothers of the nation."

Taking potshots at the Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand government, Prime Minister Modi further said, "I don't know what kind of state government is this. They say they won't let anyone from the Centre enter their state and that they will smash the windscreen of their cars. A state government should be such that they should be ready to work with anyone for development of their state."

Prime Minister Modi, who returned from a three-nation tour yesterday, addressed his first rally in Daltonganj today amid unprecedented security.

The first phase of the five-phased polling in the state will be held on Tuesday for the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly. The counting of votes will take place on December 23.