Zee Media Bureau
Hyderabad: Addressing a mega rally in Hyderabad in the run up to the 2014 General Elections, BJP`s poll panel chief, Narendra Modi, questioned the Central government as to what they were doing as far the LoC killings were concerned and accused the Congress of being only interested in vote-bank politics.
Targeting the UPA government, the Gujarat Chief Minister said, "Central government`s actions have created a trust deficit amongst the people of this country. People are losing confidence in the government."
"The government in Delhi cannot give us protection. The Congress party is only interested in vote-bank politics and UPA-2 only knows how to do divide and rule," he said.
"Now when the Pakistani Army, this week, shot dead our jawans, I want to ask the Prime Minister...He had made the promise that we will not tolerate such things. What is the reason that a country of 125 crore is silently tolerating when Pakistan is going back on its promise one by one?", he asked.
The LoC attack in Poonch sector in Jammu and Kashmir early this month in which specialised troops of Pakistan were involved left five jawans dead.
"What is the protocol with those, who behead our soldiers," he asked again.
Modi began his speech in Telugu drawing applause from his supporters, who had come to listen to him by paying Rs 5 as entry fee.
He also alleged that the jawans of Indian Army deployed on the Bangladesh border have been asked not to use weapons even if there was an assault from the other side.
On the issue of incursions by China in Ladakh, Modi said, "Our government compromised so much that the India Army was asked to withdraw from its own territory,"
He also took a dig at the External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid for praising Beijing. "The government should be ashamed of itself," he said.
Talking about the ceasefire violations by Pakistan Modi said, "When our Indian soldiers are beheaded, the Pakistani PM is treated to lavish food by our government."
He also cited the death of the fishermen from Kerala who were killed by two Italians marines. He lambasted the UPA government for allowing them to go back to Italy on bail.
In hard hitting statement he said, "The government at the Centre is not serious about any issues. It is not bothered about the country," and added, "I am worried about the youth of this country. Where will they go for work and food?"
Modi also criticised the way the Congress party had handled the Telangana issue. He wondered why a new capital city has not been built for Seemandhra since 2004 when Congress came to power. Modi said BJP favoured development and growth of cities in Seemandhra even better than Hyderabad.
Observing that Telugu-speaking people lived in perfect harmony in Gujarat cities like Surat and Ahmedabad, he questioned why Seemahdhra and Telangana cannot live in peace and without animosity towards each other. "BJP has always been in favour of Telangana," Modi added.
In a bid to woo fresh allies, Modi made a specific appeal to Telugu Desam (TDP), which has inherited the legacy of late NT Rama Rao, a former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, saying it was its duty to see that the government at the Centre be made Congress-free.
"Congress party is a burden on this nation. Today I want to remember NTR when I come here. NTR did service not only to Andhra but the whole of India when he gave boost to anti- Congress politics. It was NTR`s efforts that paved the way for formation of a non-Congress government at the Centre.
"I appeal to all political parties in Andhra Pradesh here, what can be a supreme tribute to NTR than providing a non-Congress government," said Modi while.
"All those who claim NTR`s legacy, their first duty is to do everything to bring a non-Congress government. It should be their duty to do everything in this regard. I am confident that Andhra Pradesh`s political parties will not leave any stone unturned to bring a non-Congress government and end this dynastic rule," he said.
Addressing TDP specifically, Modi said, "It is their duty also to fulfill NTR`s dreams."
"Desh mein Congress mukt bharat ki hawa ban chuki hai (An atmosphere has been created for a Congress-free India)," he told the crowd.
TDP, headed by N Chandrababu Naidu, is a former constituent of BJP-led NDA and supported the Vajpayee government from 1998 to 2004. The TDP severed its alliance with BJP after the 2004 election defeat.
Modi also mentioned the efforts of veteran BJP leader LK Advani to bring back black money from abroad. He questioned as to what was the problem in getting back black money from abroad and asked in the same vein, "Whose black money is it?
At the same time Modi praised the governance efforts undertaken by BJP chief ministers, Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Raman Singh.
He also lamented on the fact that the value of Rupee versus the Dollar was going down day by day.
In the end of an hour long speech Modi said on a philosophical note, "Any government ought to have one religion – India first".
He also goaded the massive crowd present at the Lal Bahadur stadium in Hyderabad to say in US President Barack Obama like style – "Yes we can" and "Yes we`ll do" – which the people happily responded to.
Narendra Modi signed off in his trademark style by chanting – "Bharat mata ki jai".
With PTI inputs
