Poll trends suggest responsibilities have increased: Modi

Balasore, April 11: Narendra Modi today said the trends in elections suggest that his responsibilities are increasing, alluding to the massive turnout of people in the Lok Sabha elections.

With BJP being seen as a principle challenger to Naveen Patnaik-led BJP in parts of Odisha instead of Congress, the party's Prime Ministerial candidate told a rally here that the affection voters of the state had "shown" for his party in polling booths yesterday has augmented his responsibilities towards them.

"It seems from the trend visible in elections and your affection, which was visible in the polling booths of Odisha yesterday, that my responsibilities are increasing. It is especially so towards you," he said.

"You have showered love toward me and I will return it with dividend. Though I am born in Lord Somnath's land, I have no less affection toward the people in the land of Lord Jagannath," he said. Ten Lok Sabha seats in the state went to polls yesterday and the remainder 11 constituencies will vote on April 17.

Criticising BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik's lack of ability to speak, read and write Odia language, Modi wondered how the people had tolerated him for 15 years.

"The man who does not understand you language, feel your miseries and pain, cannot give you a good government," Modi said. "Does your CM meet you? Do you need such people?... You have tolerated a person for 15 years who does not understand your language. You have given Madam Sonia 10 years in the Centre and this government 15 years, give me 60 months," he said, attacking Congress chief Sonia Gandhi.

Many scams have occurred in the state but were not discussed much as they were overshadowed by the bigger scams in the Centre, Modi said. The BJP's prime ministerial candidate said he will change Odisha like he did Gujarat. Congress, he charged, uses the poor as an election tool and chants their name during elections but the BJP is avowed to serving them.

PTI