Congress remembers poor only during election: Narendra Modi

Balasore, Odisha: BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on Friday accused the Congress of remembering the country's poor only during the time of elections.

Addressing a political rally in Balasore district's headquarters town, about 200 km from state capital Bhubaneswar, the Gujarat chief minister said, "For some people poverty is like tourism."(Full coverage; Elections)

"The way people visit Taj Mahal, Badrinath, Kedarnath, same way some people go to the hamlets to see poverty. They do not go alone, they go with media. They even eat the meal of the poor so that it can make a good photo," he said.

"When elections come, the Congress party starts talking about the poor. It's nothing but a way to win elections," Mr Modi said.

He said the Bharatiya Janata Party has a track record of service.

Mr Modi said: "We believe in Daridra Narayan (the god in the form of the poor). For us, the poor are a manifestation of the Almighty."

Mentioning the high turnout witnessed at Thursday's round of election, Mr Modi said it indicated that the Congress will not be able to open an account.

Citing the high voting in Odisha, Mr Modi said the state is also going to create history.

"I have seen the winds of change here and I can tell you this government is not going to last," he said.

"For those who are sitting here for the last 15 years and those who are sitting at Delhi for the last 10 years, this election is a farewell election," Mr Modi said.

"You elected a government that neither understands your language and pain," he said, taking a dig at Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik for his inability to learn Odia.

Mr Modi said Odisha has a rich cultural heritage and is blessed with abundant natural wealth, but the leaders in the state could not manage what God has given.

"They ruined things for people," Mr Modi said. "The government in Delhi steals coal and jobs," he added.

"Does your chief minister meet you and talk to you?" he asked the people.