Upon return from Delhi, Modi harks back to Vajpayee's PM years

Says only BJP can save the country

BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, who was accorded a rousing welcome at the airport upon his return from New Delhi, recalled the Vajpayee era, and said only BJP can "save this country" from the current "despair".

Modi, after being anointed as party's candidate for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, arrived here late in the night as hundreds of BJP workers and state leaders welcomed him.

"BJP has become the only ray of hope for the common people of our country. Only BJP will save this country which has fallen into deep despair," Modi addressed the gathering in his first speech after being nominated.

"People of this country have confidence that only BJP has the capacity to bring our the country out of these crises and take it to the new heights of development. It is the responsibility of all of us to ensure that no harm is inflicted upon the aspirations of the people of this country," he told party workers.

"A decade from 1989-90 was similar to the last ten years from 2004, when our country slipped to the bottom...It has no credit left," Modi said.

"At that time, people of this country gave responsibility to Atal Bihari Vajpayee. People gave chance to BJP-led NDA to serve them. And during that time, a confidence was built that our country can realise the dreams which it has seen for the 21st century," he added.

"But unfortunately, last ten years have not only wiped out the efforts and hard work put up by Atalji, but it has pushed our country to such a low that no sector is left where people can have faith," Modi said.

"What is the future of those youth that comprise more than 65% of our population? How can one play with their future?" he asked.

"It is the sole responsibility of the BJP to bring up Dalits, adivasis (tribals), poor, who were forced to live in the crisis. And I have confidence that ours is an organised party...A party which moves on the team spirit. Team is its strength and the BJP will fulfil all the aspirations of the people of India," Modi said.