Karnal, October 4
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asked the people of Haryana to defeat the Congress in the Assembly polls and give a clear mandate to the BJP to put the state on a growth trajectory.

"You must elect a majority BJP government in the state to reap the gains of development. The Central Government benefits can flow smoothly if there are no obstacles in the relationship between the Centre and the state. For this, there has to be a BJP government at both places,” Modi told a gathering at the Haryana Vijay Sankalp Rally in Karnal.

Modi said he shares a special relationship with the land of Mahabharta. "Whenever I am in Haryana, it feels like home. I have spent my formative years here. You must ensure a win for the BJP to ensure my continuity,” he said.

In his 30-minute speech, Modi was scathing about the Congress. “Those who have inefficiently ruled the country for 60 years wanted to see the report card of my government just after 60 days,” he said.

"If someone else forms the government in Haryana, it would create many hurdles in its development,” said Modi. "Would you go to Chandigarh or Tihar Jail (in an apparent jibe at INLD chief OP Chautala) to get your work done?" Modi asked.

Modi said the state was reeling under "goonda raj". "Don't you want to rid the state of extortionists, who illegally took possession of lands, kidnapped people and then sought ransom for the release?” said Modi.

He promised to include Karnal among 500 smart cites of the country.

Lambasting Congress’ ‘No. 1 Haryana’ slogan, Modi said it was misleading.

within 100 days of coming to power. Have any steps been taken in this regard?” said the Congress chief.

“Having failed to rein in the rising prices and fulfilling other promises, the Union Government is trying to take credit for various schemes initiated by the UPA regime,” she said.

Sonia said if India has progressed and our scientists have been able to conquer the Moon and Mars, it’s all because of the hard work and sacrifices of Congress leaders. “Credit goes to our visionary leaders such as Jawahar Lal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Manmohan Singh. India could take big strides in various sectors because of them,” she claimed.

Sonia said the party (BJP) had the habit of showing false dreams to people. “This party is known for saying something and doing exactly the opposite,” she said. She also castigated the INLD without naming it and said the people in Haryana had not forgotten the days of terror and ransoms till now.

The Congress president cautioned people that the BJP and the INLD which were contesting elections separately could join hands after the polls. Sonia said the state had witnessed unprecedented development in the past 10 years and many other states were following the Haryana model.

Sirsa/Meham, October 4
Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Saturday accused the Modi government of bluster and said it has failed to fulfil its poll promises.

Addressing back-to-back rallies in Sirsa and Meham (Rohtak), Sonia said: “The saffron party has the habit of misleading people for votes. It’s again doing the same to grab power in Haryana.”

"They are creating such an atmosphere as if nothing has happened in the country since Independence and they will change everyone's fortunes overnight. Have any steps been taken by the government to fulfil the promises made during the parliamentary elections," she asked.

"Has inflation come down? Is the poor man getting food at cheaper rate? Have the unemployed got jobs?" she asked. In a swipe at Modi, Sonia said: “Empty vessels make the most noise. Being loud doesn't mean you are speaking the truth."

"What happened to their promise of getting back the black money stashed abroad Haryana is actually lagging behind many states. The state government's faulty policies are responsible for the miserable condition of farmers.

It has imposed four per cent market tax on paddy. As a result, the farmers are not able to sell their produce,” he said.