People want to punish Congress, UPA: Modi

Chandigarh, April 25 (IANS) Calling upon the people to vote out the "most corrupt government in the country's history", BJP leader Narendra Modi Friday said people were determined to punish the Congress party and the UPA government for bringing the country to the brink of disaster.

Addressing election rallies in Pathankot, Hoshiarpur and Ludhiana cities of Punjab Friday in favour of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) combine candidates, Modi said the electorate has bid farewell to the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government.

"Voters who have already voted have bid farewell to this (UPA) government. They have already laid the foundation for a stable government in the country. Now, you have to go and vote out this government," Modi said.

"The country has not seen a more corrupt government in its entire history. This government has brought the country to the brink of disaster," Modi said.

Urging voters to punish the "Maa-Beta" (mother-son) government (referring to Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi) in the country by voting it out, Modi said: "This mother-son government has ruined this country. You should punish this government by voting it out."

"The 2014 election is not that of candidates and parties. It is of the 125 crore people of this country who are fighting it. People want to punish the Congress and the UPA that have looted this country," Modi said.

Taking a dig at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who belongs to Punjab, Modi said: "He has worked here but never felt the need to repay the debt of this land (Punjab). I have spent a few years in Punjab and have tasted its salt. I am indebted to this land."

Modi said the public was fed up with the hollow promises being made by the Congress. "We don't need promises, I will come with a clear intention (for development)," he said.

He said the BJP manifesto clearly mentioned that farmers will get priority in the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) government. He said successive Congress governments failed to do anything for the land tillers.

All 13 Lok Sabha constituencies in Punjab go to polls April 30.