Congress has only one agenda - to stop me, says Modi

Thane (Maharashtra), April 21 (IANS) The Congress is pursuing a single-point agenda "Stop Modi" but the voting trend so far in the Lok Sabha elections indicates that the UPA is on its way out, BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi said here Monday.

Addressing an election rally in Kalyan town in Thane district, Modi said the Congress was not fighting to retain power or to win the election.

"It is only pursuing a single-point agenda 'Stop Modi' at any cost, as they apprehend they will be ruined," the Bharatiya Janata Party leader said at the rally where he shared the dais with ally Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray.

Hitting out at the Congress, Modi said: "They have looted the country and all the wealth is kept in foreign banks."

"It must be brought back. People want it to be brought back. It is only those whose money is stashed abroad that are scared," he said amidst thunderous applause.

He said this was the first general election in India that was not being fought by the political parties or candidates. "It is the people who are fighting this election."

Citing acts of omission by the Congress-led UPA, Modi said they had promised to make India "slum-free" in five years, provide 10 crore jobs and control inflation.

"Has all this happened? The rulers in Delhi must reply, but they are keeping quiet. They have betrayed the people of the country. Instead, they are asking Modi to give replies," the Gujarat chief minister said as the crowds cheered enthusiastically.

He also attacked Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi for his statement about "a prince on a white horse carrying a magic wand, who would solve all of India's problems".

"I was wondering who that prince could be. Then I realised that it must be one person with Rs.1 lakh in his pocket, a Class 10 pass who is now worth Rs.300 crore," Modi said, referring to Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law Robert Vadra.

Modi said that all these years, the Congress has never faced a real challenge.

"But now, they are worried. A challenge is there, that too, from a chaiwala (tea seller)," he said, referring to his own humble beginnings.

He urged the people not to be misled by the government's tactics and ensure that the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party combine does not get a single seat out of 48 in Maharashtra.

"Vote for the NDA. Give us a strong government. We will give you a strong nation," he told the crowd.