PM Modi attacks Indira Gandhi's 'garibi hatao' slogan

Attacking Indira Gandhi's 'garibi hatao' slogan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the call failed as the path chosen to implement it was wrong.

"We heard garibi hatao slogan for 40-50 years. The intention of those who gave it may have been good, but the path they chose to eradicate poverty was certainly wrong because poverty, umemployment and disease grew," he said.

Modi termed BJP as a party synonymous with development, saying all BJP-ruled states were developing faster than others.

"You can look at the condition of states where BJP is yet to get a foothold," he said, apparently taking a dig at the Naveen Patnaik government.

Addressing a public meeting in this 'missile city' on the completion of two years of his government, he asked the people of the state to bring about a political change.

Pitching for development in Odisha, eastern Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar and Assam, Modi said his government is committed to making the country poverty-free.

"In my first speech in Parliament, I had stated that my government is dedicated to the welfare of the poor. My aim is to ensure sustainable development in all states. There should be an integrated way of development so that all the states move forward in an even manner," he said.

The Prime Minister said, "The time has come one has to think why the western part of our country is more developed than the eastern region. Odisha is endowed with natural resources but still its people remain neglected and the state lacks development."

States like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh show that "BJP means development and development means BJP," he said.

Noting that development created all-round happiness, the Prime Minister said to attain that goal the states and the Centre must have a good understanding.