Congress-NCP neglected Konkan development, says Modi

Ratnagiri (Maha), Oct 13: Describing the Konkan region as "gateway to prosperity" Prime Minister

today accused the erstwhle Congress-NCP government in

of neglecting it and vowed to boost its economic development if BJP is voted to power in the state.

"This is a land rich in natural resources. The sea here is a gateway to prosperity not just for Maharashtra but for the entire nation. Konkan has a lot of scope for development. It was ignored by the Congress-NCP regime in last 15 years," he said addressing a poll rally here in the Konkan region.

Promising to fulfil the expectations of people in Maharashtra if BJP was given a full majority in the October 15 Assembly election, Modi said his government is committed to good governance. "Surajya (good governance) is my birthright," he said.

Launching a scathing attack on Congress-NCP's "corrupt rule in the last 15 years," Modi said, "Yeh rashtravadi nahi hain, brashtacharvadi log hai. They have not only emptied the state coffers but also ruined two generations." "Why did Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts lag on development front," he asked.

Modi cited the ban imposed by the 28-member European Union earlier this year on the import of Alphonso mangoes as a case to prove apathy towards problems of the Konkan region. The EU ban had come after 207 consignments of fruit and vegetables from India imported into the EU in 2013 were found to be contaminated by pests such as fruit flies and other quarantine pests.

PTI