Modi calls BJP as 'harbinger of peace' in Mangalore

Mangalore, May 2: Even as the BJP government in the State has been witnessing a setback during to the obnoxious incidents of communal unrest and moral policing in the coastal districts, the BJP's power house, star campaigner and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, thinks otherwise.

Addressing a public rally at Nehru Maidan in Mangalore on Thursday, Mr Modi said that prior to the BJP government taking over reigns in Karnataka, Mangalore and several other parts of the state were frequently hit by communal violence and riots but the picture has changed completely only after the BJP came to power.

“Isn't it true that your region was always marred by instances of communal riots in the past? Isn't it true that there was always curfew here? Ever since the BJP came to power in Karnataka, Mangalore has become a peaceful place and everyone is living in harmony and co-existence. We have brought people together whereas the Congress always followed a policy of divide and rule. Vote bank politics has been Congress' method for ages whereas the BJP has a novel approach of development based politics. People of Karnataka have to decide if they want Congress' brand of politics or BJP's development”, Mr. Modi said.

'Only way for development is Congress-free Karnataka'

The BJP stalwart fired a series of attacks on Congress leaders stating that the party is incapable of providing a development based governance.

“Power generation factories with a capacity of 30,000 MW are closed down in the country today. Because of UPA's inability to formulate the right coal policy, we are not receiving fuel and oil from foreign countries. We in Gujarat have worked on our electricity generation and today we have surplus power production. We can supply 2000 MW of power to any part of the country but again, the centre has not been able to set up grids even so that power could be transported. In Karnataka too, although we had to face tough times, our government did not compromise on development. There was 6% agriculture growth here. The problem of areca growers has been handled effectively by granting taxation concessions and provision of support prices to farmers”, Mr. Modi said.

'Protection for cows needed'

The firebrand leader appealed to the voters of Karnataka to do away with the Congress in the upcoming Assembly elections in the interest of the farmers and the diminishing number of cows.

“The Congress led government has started 'Pink Revolution' as part of its agenda to enhance meat exports of the country. As part of this sin, they are opening up avenues to set up more slaughter houses in the country. Those willing to open slaughter houses will be waived off of income tax for five years. Subsidy would be given by the centre instead. Transport allowance for export of meat at the rate of Rs.5 per kilometer will be provided by them. In the name of enhancing exports, the animal resources of our country are being killed. The number of cows is on the decline. Cows are being smuggled to Bangladesh where they are being killed. In Karnataka too, the Congressmen are speaking of encouraging cow slaughter. Because of UPA government's policies, farmers are not getting fertilizers. The decrease in animal resources is contributing to lack of fertilizers”, Mr. Modi said, warning people of Karnataka that a Congress regime in the state will further deepen the crisis.

Poojary gets it back from Modi

In an indirect attack, Mr. Modi had a few words for senior Congress leader B Janardhana Poojary.

“I was told that a senior Congress leader here challenged me to come to Mangalore and that I would not be able to make it. Congressmen are always wrong. They said Modi will not come to Mangalore but here I am. Similarly, they are saying that the BJP will not come to power in the state again but it will”, Mr. Modi said in a sarcastic tone.

Sarabjith's death 'extrajudicial killing

Terming the death of Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh in Pakistan as a case of extrajudicial killing, Mr Modi did not just launch a direct attack against Pakistani authorities but even took on the ruling UPA government at the centre for its lapses.

“It is a clear case of extrajudicial killing. When a prisoner is given hanging orders, he is supposed to be kept in a solitary cell. In such cells, prisoners have no threat. Why then was Sarabjit kept in a cell occupied by others or where the attack was possible? The Indian government has also not done enough to save Sarabjit and left it entirely on his family members. It is a weak government being led by the Congress which failed to show its diplomatic might”, Mr. Modi said.

The BJP's national icon alleged the UPA led central government of making a mockery of the country's security and diplomatic ties with its weak approach.

“China has been invading, carrying out parades and occupying our lands. People in Delhi are still not sure to what extent has the damage been done by them and as to when they will go back. A tiny country like Maldives is giving stares to India. Bangladesh has been killing our fishermen and no word is being uttered against it. So was the case with Italian marines, where finally the Supreme Court had to intervene”, he said.