JOIN USStressing the need for the development of ports in coastal districts, BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi said that port led development will change the face of the region
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Addressing a mammoth rally of over one lakh people at Nehru Maidan on Tuesday, he said that the coastal districts like Mangalore should have proper road and air connectivity along with infrastructure facilities for ports, cold storage networks and warehousing facilities.
Referring to the life and works of fishermen, he said that fishermen still continue to depend on the age-old technique of searching for fish when modern technology is available through which fishermen can know about the availability of fish in a particular spot.
“The satellite tracking will help fishermen not only in fish catch but also save time and the same has been a success in Gujrath,” he said and added that there is a need for holistic plan for the coastal development.
On arecanut growers, he said whenever arecanut growers of the region are in distress, a delegation from Mangalore visits him and asks him to rescue them.
“Though I have been offering help, how long can anybody help,” he said and stressed the need for a change in the nation to uplift the farmers and arecanut growers.
Modi said that purchasing power of the villagers should be increased to help the economy to move forward. If the villagers are empowered, then even the city dwellers will be empowered.
Dismissing charges that the opposition party was blocking passage of anti-graft bills in Parliament, BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate attacked Congress, saying its ministers were disrupting proceedings on the floor of the House.
“Your central ministers are disrupting the proceedings in the Parliament. Normally, they used to throw dust in the eyes of the public, but now they are using pepper,” with a reference to an expelled Congress MP L Rajagopal using pepper spray in Lok Sabha over the Telangana row.
“With the help of CBI, the Congress tried to calm me down. However, they dialled wrong number,” he said.
Stating that the Congress does not believes in democracy, Modi said that the people of the country should understand the false statements and promises made by them.
“If you want to save the country, there is only one mantra: Free India from the Congress in the coming elections. The Congress has become a burden for the country. There is no leadership and principles in the Congress. In such a situation, how will they save a country?” he asked.
Quality of life
He said that the citizens need change in quality of life. “We need to have a farsigtedness policy for laying underground optical fibers, and gas grids for the future of the country. We need modern infrastructure model for the change in quality of life.”
On power crisis in Karnataka, Modi said that Gujarath generates additional electricity. However, owing to the failure of the Central government to lay transmission lines, we are not in a position to supply our surplus electricity. He said that during the 2009 election, the Congress had promised to provide employment to one person in every family. Asking the crowd, whether the promise has been fulfilled, he said that it has failed in its promise. During the NDA regime, 6.72 crore people were given employment. However, in the last few years, the UPA government has given employment to only 27 lakh persons. For the youth to be employable, there is a need to give thrust on skill development. However, the Congress government at the Centre has no model or scheme for skill development of the youth. Without the skills, how can youth excel? he asked.
MP Nalin Kumar Kateel felicitated Modi with a shawl, garland, Yakshagana head gear, Kambala stick, and the bust of Sardar Vallabhbai Patel. Namo Brigade team handed over a conch to him.
Iron was symbolically handed over to him as a part of the drive to collect iron for the construction of longest statue of Sardar Vallabhbai Patel in Gujarath.
BJP State President Prahlad Joshi, MP Ananthkumar former chief ministers B S Yeddyurappa and D V Sadananda Gowda among others were present.