What Narendra Modi said at UP and MP rallies

Bareilly/Rewa/Beohari/Jabalpur, April 1: Stepping up his offensive against the Congress, BJP prime ministerial candidate

Tuesday said that it faced "certain defeat" in the Lok Sabha poll and urged people to elect over 300 MPs of NDA to form a strong government.

For Modi's speech in Jabalpur in MP, see the video below:

He also urged the Election Commission to probe the "delay" in clearance for his helicopters to take off.

Addressing election rallies in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, Modi attacked the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government over unending farmer suicides in the country.

He accused the Congress of joining with Left & Third Front to stop the BJP

He also accused the Congress of wanting to create instability and said it was prepared to join hands with the Left and third front parties to keep the Bharatiya Janata Party out of power.

After landing in Bareilly for his first election rally of the day, Modi said he was at Delhi airport since 9.30 a.m. but did not get permission to take off.

"I try my best to ensure that there is no delay due to me. Today, I am feeling sad. You had to wait for so long in heat. You are doing this tapasaya (sacrifice) in this scorching heat. I assure you that I will not let this go in vain," he said.

In a veiled dig at Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who is an MP from Rae Bareli, Modi said: "Rae Bareli has elected such strong leaders but see development there."

Seeking to woo Muslims, the BJP leader said that most people working in kite industry in his native Gujarat were belonged to the community.

Modi also took a dig at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav over the state government's development record. The state's ruling Samajwadi Party has decided not to put up candidates against Sonia Gandhi and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi.

"UP chief minister asked for lions from Gujarat. We gave the lions, hoping he will gain some courage but we were mistaken. Lions had to be caged. I invite Netaji (Akhilesh's father Mulayam Singh Yadav) and his family to visit Gir. Our lions are not caged and they roam around freely," Modi said.

He also found fault with the Congress-led government for not hitting back after Pakistani troops killed and beheaded Indian soldiers on the Kashmir border."Lal Bahadur Shastri coined the slogan 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' but the Congress slogan now is 'Mar Jawan, Mar Kisan'".

Modi referred to Congress manifesto as "dhokha patar (a document of deceit)" and said India needed a stable government after the elections.

"Please send over 300 MPs of NDA (National Democratic Alliance). Elect BJP MPs from UP. We will give you a government you want," he said.

In his rallies at Rewa and Beohari in Madhya Pradesh, Modi again referred to the delay caused in his travel plans.

"I am 3.5 hours late. This delay is not due to me. I was waiting for hours at Delhi. Even in Bareilly, I waited for an hour. I urge the Election Commission to investigate why my programmes are delayed like this. Who's done this... delayed my helicopter by hours," Modi said at Rewa.

"Let me tell the centre... your defeat is certain. If you are scared of Modi, say it openly you won't let Modi travel anywhere, say it openly. Please give a fitting reply by voting for the lotus (BJP's election symbol)," he added.

Modi said Congress and its allies should be defeated in elections.

"What has been going on for the last 10 years, can we let things go on like this," he said.

Speaking in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur, Modi sought a strong mandate from the people.

"You can't give a car with less tyree or tyres with less air. Give us a car with all tyres."

"Congress now has a negative mindset and is joining hands with the Left, third front and wanting to create instability," he added.

IANS