'2014 is year of BJP, Modi'

Baghpat, March 29 (IANS) BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi Saturday said 2014 is the year of "Lotus (the party's symbol) and Modi". He was addressing an election rally in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat town.

Modi spoke of India's first freedom struggle against the British colonialism in 1857.

"People then fought for 'swaraj' (self-rule) and a British-free India. Today, people have to fight for 'suraj' (good governance) and a Congress-free India," he said.

Modi attacked the Congress for not doing enough for either the armymen or the farmers.

"Today, those who safeguard the nation are not safe. Today, soldiers are being beheaded and their heads are taken away (by Pakistani Army)," he said.

He expressed his displeasure at the Pakistan prime minister's visit to India after Indian soldiers were beheaded.

"Why didn't the (Indian) prime minister tell his Pakistan counterpart that it was not the right time to visit India," he said.

He lashed out at the Congress for projecting itself as a farmer friendly party.

"Farmers are forced to commit suicide during the UPA rule," he said.