Congress-free India will rid us of our problems: Narendra Modi

Bharatiya Janata Party prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on Sunday urged the people to free the country from the rule of Congress to get rid of the problems that the nation is facing.

Zee Media Bureau

Mumbai: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on Sunday urged the people to free the country from the rule of Congress to get rid of the problems that the nation is facing. He asked the people to vote for the country in the upcoming 2014 General Elections and not for any particular party. Modi was addressing thousands of people at `Maha-Garjana` (big roar) rally in MMRDA grounds at the BKC Ground in Mumbai. "The cause of our problem is Congress-ruled government. If we want to get rid of your problems, then the only solution is to free the nation of Congress rule," he said.  He added that bad governance is like diabetes and can ruin everything. “The call for Quit India Movement was made from Mumbai to free the country before Independence. From here, once again, we need to make a call to free India from Congress," Modi said.  He said that unless we free the country from vote bank politics, we will not find a solution to the country`s problems. Modi also said that Congress used divide-and-rule policy to remain in power and said that we need to get free the country from votebank politics for its welfare. He addressed the issue of farmers` suicide and said that if BJP had been in power, then farmer suicids would not have taken place. Taking a dig at Congress, he said that he heard a speech by a Congress leader on corruption even as the party saves ministers involved in Adarsh scam in Maharashtra. Modi further said that Congress has stacked black money in Swiss banks. The Gujarat Chief Minister said that Mumbai is second home for Gujararatis. "I personally feel that the way in which Gujarati language is nurtured, it is home for Gujaratis. We used to be part of Gujarat and hence, Mumbai is our elder brother and Gujarat is younger one."  Modi further said that questions were raised when Gujarat ceded from Mumbai, on how it will progress. "But today, Gujarat has touch new heights of development," Modi said.  He questioned the political scenario of Maharashtra and said that the state has seen only 14 chief ministers in as compared to 26 chief ministers in Maharashtra. "What kind of governance is here (Maharashtra)? One CM comes, another tries to chase him out," Modi said. Citing the example of Madhya Pradesh, he said that earlier its used to be considered as a “sick” state. But, after BJP government with Shivraj Singh Chouhan at the helm, the state has progressed. This is Modi`s first rally in Mumbai after being appointed as the party`s prime ministerial candidate.  With thousands of people attending the rally, security arrangements have been strengthened in and around the venue. Thousands of policemen and bomb disposal squad have been deployed.  Around 20 special trains have been arranged for the supporters to travel to the venue.