Cong, allies driven by lust for power: PM tells J'khand rally

Mounting a blistering attack on the Congress-JMM-RJD alliance in Jharkhand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleged on Monday that its "self- seeking" past governments were driven by the "lust for power", and exploited the mineral-rich state's resources while neglecting the people.

He also accused the previous Congress governments at the Centre of procrastinating resolution of the Kashmir tangle and the vexed Ayodhya dispute.

"This election is a contest between those who serve and those who loot. The Congress has problems, we have the solutions. They have accusations, we have the report of the work we have done. They have empty promises, we have the proof of development," Modi told a poll rally in Daltonganj, his first ahead of the state assembly elections.

The prime minister asserted the BJP was committed to the five principles of social justice--stability, good governance, prosperity, respect for all and security.

Naxalism flourished under the non-BJP governments due to political instability, he said.

"Governments were made through the back door. There were alliances of self-seekers who were driven by the lust for power (satta bhog) and exploited the resources of the state.

"They had their eyes on the riches found beneath the surface of the earth and cared little for those living on the earth. How would it then have been possible to give electricity, roads and water to people? Set up industries?" he said.

Modi said it was for the first time since the creation of Jharkhand in the year 2000 that the BJP government led by Raghubar Das had completed its full term.

The Das government, he said, worked day and night to end corruption and set up institutional mechanisms for greater transparency in governance. He said the BJP government made honest efforts to end naxalism and crime.

At another election rally in Gumla, the PM said when people would vote for the 'Lotus' (BJP's poll symbol) once again, "I believe the backbone of naxalism will break completely."