Modi launches sharp attack on Cong, seeks clear mandate

Targets Congress for alleged land scams and for being anti-farmer

Seeking a mandate to rid Haryana of Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched a sharp attack on the party targeting it over alleged land scams and being "anti-farmer".

"Which poor has got a plot, has anyone got...But then where have thousands of acres of land disappeared, who has taken this. Does Haryana want to settle account," he said kicking off his party's election campaign in Haryana for the October 15 Assembly polls.

Modi took no names but the attack comes against the backdrop of controversies surrounding the land deals of Congress President Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra which the Hooda government is believed to have helped him.

He also sought a clear mandate for the BJP in Haryana for putting the state on a growth trajectory.

Continuing his Lok Sabha plank of ousting the Congress, the Prime Minister hit out at the Congress for the state's backwardness.

Seeking to connect with the farmers of the state, Modi in his 30-minute address, hit out at the Congress for stating that the Centre had imposed ban on Basmati rice export.

Modi said he was surprised at the lies being spread among the people of Haryana that the Centre had imposed a ban on Basmati export.

Karnal region is a famous Basmati belt in the country.

"My farmer brothers and sisters, on one thing you are being misled, naked lies are being told, you are being told that the Centre has imposed a ban on export of Basmati rice, this is 100 per cent lies. This is injustice with the farmers.

"What is the truth then, I want to tell you that in Haryana 'mandis', Congress government has imposed 4 per cent tax and as a result Haryana farmer who sells his Basmati is unable to compete in the competitive market," he said.

"The anti-farmer Congress, which is in power for 10 years, is responsible because of which the Basmati producing farmer is distraught," he said, adding that the water table is going down, and the government is unable to supply adequate power to consumers.

Modi also launched a veiled attack on main opposition INLD, asking the people whether they would like the State being governed from jail.

INLD President and former Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala has been sentenced in the teachers recruitment scam.

Chautala, who is out on bail on health grounds, had said he would take oath as the next CM from Tihar Jail.