'UPA had left banking sector on ventilator'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the banking sector was placed on a ventilator by the UPA government in 2014.

He was addressing the ‘Vijaya Sankalpa’ rally at Nehru Maidan in Mangaluru on Saturday.

“The Congress had ruined the banking sector. Loans that had been lent in the 2006-14 period was double the loans lent from 1947 to 2006. How much commission did the government receive for it?” Modi asked.

Extradition

He said, “Christian James Michel, Rajeev Saxena and Deepak Talwar – who were wanted in high profile corruption cases and were absconding – have been sent back to India.”

He stressed on a need to end ‘Mahamilavat’, the ‘adulterated’ culture of the Congress.

“There was a small mistake in the Karnataka election, where the BJP could not form the government. Will you repeat the mistake?” he asked the people, adding, “The BJP will give a ‘mazboot’ (strong) government as against a ‘majboor’ (helpless) government by the Congress and its allies.”

Taking credit for conferring the Padma awards on social workers and environmentalists like Salumarada Thimmakka, Modi said, “Who would have thought that someone in a tribal hamlet or working to conserve the environment would be given a Padma award? India has resources and capabilities. The Congress, however, did not recognise the deserving people.”

He added, “We have built a memorial in honour of Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, while the Congress did not care for previous presidents. Dr Radhakrishnan dedicated his life to Karnataka and was president under Congress regime, but no memorial has been built in his honour.”

‘Punishment’

He said that one would find many statues of people from the Congress dynasty. The 21st century is punishing the Congress for its crimes, he added.

Paying tributes to the martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh that will complete 100 years, Modi said, “A nation that forgets its people’s sacrifices and history, gets destroyed from the roots. When Modi remembers martyrs, the Congress and its allies feel uncomfortable.”

Before his speech, Modi expressed concern for the people who were watching the rally perched on roadside trees and inquired after their safety. “I will be hurt if something happens to you. Don’t take such risk, alight from the trees. I am yours and will return here,” he told them.

“I have come here many times. Today, it seems like the ground is filled with a sea of saffron,” he said, referring to people wearing the chowkidar saffron headgear.

‘Elated by love’

“Whenever I came to Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, I was elated with the love received. Your faith in me has given me strength to take major, tough decisions. India’s image has improved in foreign countries not because of Modi, but your vote,” he added.

He ended his speech by asking the crowd to repeat the ‘Main Bhi Chowkidar’ slogan.