'There is no Modi factor in Chhattisgarh': Charan Das Mahant

Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress chief Charan Das Mahant on Saturday hit out at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, saying he was "desperate" to become the prime minister and added that there is no Modi factor in the state.

"In Chhattisgarh, there is no Narendra Modi factor, people know that he only speaks lies and is desperate to become prime minister," Mahant said.

"People of Chhattisgarh believe BJP has not fulfilled promises they made. There is no development in tribal areas," he added.

Eighteen Constituencies spread over eight districts in south Chhattisgarh will witness voting on November 11 while the remaining 72 segments will go into polls on November 19.

Out of the 18, 12 constituencies are in the Maoist-affected tribal Bastar region, while six are in Rajnandgaon division.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will address a rally in Raipur today. Whereas, BJP patriarch LK Advani will address public rallies in Kasdol, Bilaspur and Bhatapara for the second phase of Chhattisgarh elections.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi have also addressed rallies in the state.

On Friday, Rahul Gandhi flayed the Raman Singh government in his address at Rajnandgaon over the deadly Maoist attacks that wiped out the Congress leadership in the state.

"BJP Government here did nothing to provide justice, when the entire Congress leadership was wiped out here," he said.

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi addressed a rally in Bastar on Thursday where she accused the BJP government in the state of playing divisive politics.

She further said that the Congress Party has always delivered on its promises made to the people, and also announced a scheme for rehabilitation for regions affected with Naxalism.

"The Congress party does not just talk, but also delivers on its promises. We have given employment to the poorest of poor. We have guaranteed you food through the food security scheme. For regions affected with Naxalism, there will be schemes for rehabilitation," she added.

She also held the BJP responsible for poverty in the state, and asked what the saffron outfit has done to improve the law and order situation.

"BJP talks of good governance, but because of it's misgovernance in Chhattisgarh, poverty has increased. There are law and order problems here, what has the Chhattisgarh Government done about it?" she questioned.