I want to be chowkidaar of India's treasury: Modi

Gujarat CM says working a project to pay hourly youth from UP and Bihar working in the state

Attacking Congress over the issue of corruption, BJP's Prime Ministerial nominee Narendra Modi today said he wished to become a chowkidaar (watchman) of the people so that "no claws can reach the country's treasury."

Modi said BJP projected him as its prime ministerial candidate despite his humble origin as one who had once sold tea in trains.

He told a party rally here that people should not make him the Prime Minister but only a watchman.

"I will sit like a chowkidaar in Delhi and promise that no claws can reach Indian treasury", he said. "I want to serve as your chowkidaar, you have given them 60 years, give us 60 months", he said.

He claimed Congress leaders have not answered the concerns of the people as they considered themselves to be rulers.

"It is the time for Lok Sabha elections. Should they (Congress) not speak about what they have to say on corruption? Why are you not answering? Inflation, crimes against women, should you not answer? Should not this elected government answer to the people? But they consider themselves to be kings and princes and are not willing to answer," Modi said.

The Gujarat Chief Minister also attacked UPA's outside supporters Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party accuising them of looting the people.

Alleging that poverty was a subject of mockery for Congress, Modi said the Planning commission had come out with statistics which suggested that Rs 26 in rural areas and Rs 32 in urban areas was sufficient to sustain a family for a day.

The Gujarat CM said he was experimenting with a project under which youth from UP and Bihar, who work in Gujarat, would be paid on an hourly basis for their work in factories.

He said the attempt was to allow them to work more each day so that they can get more leave to return to their homes during agricultural season.