All my actions will be accounted for: Modi

‘BJP will provide new direction to governance and end stagnancy in growth’

GULBARGA-KARNATAKA; BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Mr Narendra Modi addressing a rally in the outskirts of Gulbarga City on Friday.

Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi has said if the BJP is voted to power at the Centre, it will provide a new direction to governance and move forward with clarity to end stagnancy in growth.

Addressing a rally at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee GDA Layout at Kotnur D on the outskirts of Gulbarga on Friday, Mr. Modi said the “poison spread by the Congress would be put to an end and a path would be laid for the people to taste ‘Amrit’ (elixir)”.

He said the “wave in favour of the BJP sweeping the country would convert itself into a ‘tsunami’ after the dates of the Lok Sabha elections are announced, and the Congress will be washed away in that ‘tsunami’.”

Mr. Modi also said he was “overwhelmed” by the people’s response to the rally. “It is a beautiful sight… it is like a sea of saffron in Gulbarga… BJP’s detractors should sense the mood of the people and the kind of impact it would have in the Lok Sabha elections,” he said.

Mr. Modi said accountability is a must for all political parties and those in power owe an explanation to the people on where they have failed and what their achievements are.

Significance of 2022

He said all his actions would be accounted for. “I will not waste a minute and I will work for the development of the country,” he said. The platinum jubilee of the Indian Independence was scheduled for 2022 and it would be made a memorable event, he added.

“India has not achieved what it should have during the post-Independence era, and it continues to remain backward economically, while neighbouring countries, including China, have marched ahead and become economic superpowers. By the time India celebrates its 75th Independence Day, we should see that the country finds itself among the superpowers,” Mr. Modi said.

Mr. Modi said to achieve this daunting task, the right steps should be taken — by cleansing politics and ending corruption that is eating into the vitals of the country.

In a marked departure, Mr. Modi, throughout his 40-minute speech, did not mention AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi even once. He, however, referred to AICC president Sonia Gandhi twice, but without taking her name.

Mr. Modi said the Congress, which was on the way out, would find it difficult to cross even double digits (in terms of seats) in the Lok Sabha elections.

Mr. Modi said development had taken a backseat in Karnataka, referring to Railways Minister M. Mallikarjun Kharge. He said, “Both the State government and the Railways were in a state of slumber and derailed.”

On bifurcation On the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, Mr. Modi said the issue could have been handled in a sophisticated manner protecting the interests of the people in both Telangana and Seemandhra.

He, however, tried to steer clear of any controversy saying, “We (BJP) too were for the creation of Telangana. At the same time, we wanted the interests of the people of Seemandhra to be protected.”

Patient wait Earlier, braving the scorching heat, people sat on the open ground waiting patiently for more than three hours to hear Mr. Modi.

The Gujarat Chief Minister was scheduled to arrive at 11 a.m. but reached the venue only at 2.15 p.m.

The former BJP president Venkaiah Naidu, BJP general secretary Ananth Kumar and the former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa were present.