Mangalore: Congress - a burden on the nation: Narendra Modi at Bharatha Gellisi rally in city

Mangalore: Congress - a burden on the nation: Narendra Modi at Bharatha Gellisi rally in city

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Feb 18, 2014: “It is a tragedy that the major political party in the world’s biggest democracy does not follow the democratic principles. The Congress party has become a burden  on the nation,” charged Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.

 

Addressing a huge gathering at the Nehru Maidan in the city on February 18, Tuesday afternoon as part of the Bharatha Gellisi Campaign of the BJP, Modi  lashed out at the Congress  for  taking the economy of the nation on the brink of bankruptcy during its  several decades long rule in the nation. “The youth are jobless, the farmers are committing suicide and the women are struggling to save their honour,” this is the pathetic plight of the nation,” he regretted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing, Modi said the Congress has been cheating the people through  its lies, false slogans and  promises. The Congress Government has no genuine concern to work for the welfare of the people, he charged and alleged that the Congress has ruined the nation.

In a sarcastic comment, Modi said “ They ( Congress) who were  throwing dust at people’s eyes all these years, have now used pepper-spray in the Parliament leaving the enter Parliament in tears and cough so that their misdeeds are not seen.”

Delving on developmental issues, the Gujarat CM argued that the nation’s economy can prosper only when the rural masses are empowered and their purchasing power improves.

Modi who also touched upon the problems of areca growers of the region, said “Every time  the areca growers of the region faced  problems  either due to slump in prices or any other reason, a local delegation definitely visited Gujarat.We have tried our best to help them. But the need of the hour is a permanent solution to the problems of the growers through a definite policy.”

 Stating that there was no strategy or priorities for the government in India, Modi said there is a need to be a development model based on the  needs and aspirations, demands and geographical conditions of each state.  He also  said the coastal districts needed a special model of development considering their growth prospects.

Modi who was all praise for the entrepreneurial skills of people of Mangalore, referred to the several  banks that  were set up in the region and said ‘You open banks in Mangalore and we open accounts in Gujarat.”

 

Also stressing on the development of ports, he recalled the Sagaramala project mooted by the former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee which aimed at connecting all major ports to achieve development.

He spoke about the modern fishing techniques used by fishermen in Gujarat  and  added fishermen must  be given opportunities to incorporate the most modern technologies in fishing which helps them identify places of fish catch easily.

“Urbanisation is considered a problem, but we must take it as an opportunity,” Modi said.

Commenting on the power shortage which Karnataka is facing, Modi said “Gujarat has thousands of megawatts  of surplus power. But Karnataka does not have the purchasing power and even if it has there are no transmission lines.”

Referring to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Modi said “ a party is above an individual and a nation above a party. We have to vote for  India and not for any individual or party.”

He also reiterated BJP’s commitment for a strong and empowered India.

Earlier Modi began his speech in Kannada saying “Karavali Karnatakada ella Aatmiya Bandhule Mokeda Namaskara.

Prahlad Joshi, State BJP President welcomed the gathering.  Modi was honoured on the occasion by presenting him a shawl, memento, a traditional Peta and a portrait of Sardar Vallabha Bhai Patel.  The metal Collected for the Statue of Unity Project was handed over  to  Modi by Bharath Shetty, Convenor of the Committee,  Padmanabha Kottari and others. Naresh Shenoy, leader of NaMo Brigade and Chakravarthi Soolibele     handed over a  conch placed on an arecanut, to Modi.

Several party leaders including former chief ministers DV Sadananda Gowda, BS Yeddyurappa, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, CT Ravi, former minister, District BJP President Pratap Simha Nayak and others were present.