PM, Cong failed to ensure North-East's development; death of Nido a national shame: Modi
Guwahati/Imphal: Narendra Modi on Saturday attacked Congress and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for 'failing' to ensure development of North-East though he represented Assam for the last 23 years in the Rajya Sabha.
"For 23 years you have been sending the Prime Minister from here. You tell me, you made such a big investment but what did you get in return. Did you get anything? ... If he being yours could not do anything for you, then what will he do for the nation?" Modi told public rallies in Guwahati and Imphal.
He said even if an ordinary worker from Assam had represented the state for so many years, he could have changed the face of the state, but Singh failed to do so and owed an explanation to the people for it.
Insurgents ambush paramilitary patrol minutes before Modi arrival in Manipur, jawan killed
"The Congress chief ministers invite the Prime Minister for laying foundation stone or cutting ribbons for projects, but it ends there and nothing happens afterwards," the Gujarat chief minister said.
Modi said NDA Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had taken the initiative of creating a separate ministry for the northeastern region and taken steps to develop it, but the Congress governments in the state and the Centre 'have been indulging in corruption only'.
"Among all Northeast states, Assam's condition is worst," he said, alleging "Congress leaders are narrow minded. Their thinking is narrow, dreams are small and vision is shortsighted."
"You have tolerated Congress for 60 years. They only made promises and misguided the country. Give me just 60 months, I will fulfil your aspirations," Modi said.
"It's only a matter of 100 days, Congress' exit is confirmed. They won't survive," the Gujarat Chief Minister said.
Speaking about the death of Arunachal Pradesh student Nido Taniam in Delhi, he said, "It is a shameful incident for the nation. I offer my prayers for the boy and his family ... There is lack of governance there. There are cases of atrocities on women."
"I hope the Government of India and the Government of Delhi come out of the blame game and works toward ensuring justice for the young boy and his family," Modi said.
He said such incidents further alienated the people of the northeastern states, which due to the 'unfortunate policies' of the Congress have been neglected and did not develop in the last 60 years.
19-year-old Taniam, an Arunachal Pradesh MLA's son, was found dead last month after he was allegedly beaten up by a group of 5-6 men in Lajpat Nagar market in South Delhi following an altercation sparked by their taunts on his hairstyle.
The BJP leader listed the issues of insurgency and the drug-trafficking as the ones impacting the northeastern region and accused the Congress government in the state of failing in its efforts to control the menace. He also said insurgency was leading to 'fake encounters'.
Modi said the BJP would work toward developing the potential of herbal industry, horticulture and agro-processing industries when it came to power.
Hitting out at Congress governments over corruption, the BJP leader said, "They are depositing black money abroad and do not want to bring it back."
The BJP government would do everything to bring back black money to India and invest it in development work, including for the poor, spreading education and giving food and medicine for the elderly, he said.
Before Modi's rally in Manipur, insurgents exploded a powerful bomb and opened fire at a road opening party of 44th Assam Rifles battalion at Lambisa in Ukhrul district killing a security man and injuring three other seriously.
