RAIPUR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday lashed out at the Congress party calling it as "supporter of Urban Maoists who led the tribal children hold the guns instead of pen and have ruined the lives of the youngsters".
In his first public rally at Lalbagh ground in Jagdalpur, the district headquarter of Bastar, ahead of the first phase polling, Modi claimed that only the BJP had ensured development in the areas affected by Naxalites and his party remains committed to eliminating the Maoist menace.
He called the Congress a party that relies on "lies", with a leader who cites Naxalites as "revolutionary" and asked, "Should the Congress be forgiven for its stand on Maoists?"
"Bomb, guns, violence cannot be the solution for problems. We have to walk on the path of peace and fulfil the dreams of the people of Bastar region. The Congress at the centre (during the UPA's regime of 10 years) created hurdles, misconceived and misguided the development works of Raman government but the CM persisted. Now what couldn't happen under the ten-year duration, we did much more during our 4-year-term of NDA", Modi claimed and further added that the day is not far when Chhattisgarh would be among the most progressive states of the country.
He alleged that for Congress the tribals are nothing more than the vote bank. "It was the BJP government led Vajpayee who created separate department and ministry for the tribals. There were governments earlier too but what they did? Our target remains focused on development- sabka sath, sabka vikas", the PM averred who exhorting the people to vote in huge strength on November 12.
Modi before beginning his speech introduced on the stage all the 12 BJP candidates from the Bastar zone. He cited the Chhattisgarh having achieved the age of 18 years as significant and needs to properly take care of all its upcoming needs which will be based according to its aspirations and dreams.
"Both Raman and Modi will together shoulder the responsibility of taking Chhattisgarh ahead on the road to progress and prosperity and fulfil the vision of A B Vajpayee who created the new state in the year 2000", the PM stated.
"We have to save Bastar, create a new Bastar for better future of youths and women. So I urged you all to ensure the lotus blossoms in all 12 seats of Bastar. If any other (party) returns on these seats, the aspirations and dreams of entire Bastar will receive a setback", Modi said in a cautionary note.
He eulogised the people (tribals, poor, women) of Chhattisgarh for taking the "wise decision" of offering the BJP with repeat mandate and keeping the Congress party "out of power in the larger interests of the state". "It's because the people have given the opportunity to the BJP, we are able to see the progress in Chhattisgarh", he opined and exhorted the people to ensure the state continues on the same trajectory of growth.