Modi highlights local issues at Agra rally

BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi Thursday hit out at the state and central governments for lopsided developmental priorities and increasing corruption at all levels.

In a 40-minute speech at the "Vijay Shankhnad" rally at Kothi Meena Bazar ground here, the Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Gujarat chief minister touched on several local issues which made it clear that he had done his homework.

Over one lakh people attended the rally, one of the biggest held on the ground.

Modi said tourism in the Taj city had great potential and the industry could bring in at least $3 billion in a couple of years.

"Agra sadly does not stand to benefit. They (government) can have an airport in a village (Sefai) but not in Agra which deserves an international airport," he said.

He said the priorities of the state and the central governments were distorted.

"Agra, which has the Yamuna river, suffers from shortage of drinking water, while perpetual power crisis affects industrial growth," Modi said.

"In Gujarat, we do not have too many rivers, but an extensive pipeline network ensures everyone gets adequate water. The pipelines are big enough. My friend Akhilesh with his family can go in a car through the pipeline which extends to the border and desert areas. Why can't they do it in UP?" he asked, referring to Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

Modi said the Agra region was known for potato cultivation but farmers producing potatoes were facing uncertainty and incurring huge losses for want of a clear policy by the state government.

He said the country looked lost and directionless because Congress has all along played vote bank politics.

"Even smaller parties have been infected by the bug," he said.

"India is not a poor nation. In fact, our country is the youngest with almost 65 percent population being youths, but the unemployment problem still wants an answer."

"The poor do not have power but special people have power supply 24x7. Due to coal scam and corruption, power units have shut down," he said.

Modi said "family rule" was another problem affecting the country.

He appealed to the people to save the country from disaster by changing the regimes at the centre and in the states.

BJP president Rajnath Singh arrived at the fag end of the rally. He also criticised the ruling Samajwadi Party.

Modi-aide Amit Shah was also present on the dais but refused to interact with the media.