Tamil Nadu Elections 2016: BJP’s focus on development, eradicating corruption, says PM Modi

New Delhi: Raking up the AgustaWestland issue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday attacked Congress for a string of scams during its rule and accused it of “making money” in the VVIP chopper deal as he urged the people of Tamil Nadu to vote BJP to power to usher in development. “There was corruption in coal (block allocation), in 2G and 3G. In 2G and 3G scams, big people are present here in Tamil Nadu who indulged in so much corruption.

“The entire country knows about it,” he said apparently referring to top DMK leaders Kanimozhi, daughter of the party supremo M Karunanidhi, A Raja and Dayanidhi Maran. “Nowadays you see on television channels and newspapers… they took money even for purchase of helicopters as well. We are not saying this, a court in Italy is saying this,” Modi said without naming Congress or its leaders while addressing an election rally here.

Noting that his government has taken steps, one after the other, to end corruption, Modi said, “not a single charge of corruption” has been levelled against his dispensation in Delhi which was about to complete two years in office. While targeting his adversaries over alleged corruption, Modi said the fruits of development will not reach the poor unless the menace was eliminated.

Modi reaffirmed his commitment to development, which he termed as antidote to all problems. “Development is the sole medicine for all problems. That is why our entire focus is on the development of all,” he said, and added “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” (all inclusive growth) was his goal.

For fruits of development to reach the last citizen of the country, corruption had to be eradicated, he said and asserted that NDA government’s focus was on fighting corruption.

Noting that the people of Tamil Nadu had “voted for this or that (DMK and AIADMK) party election after election”, Modi said,”I am working for development and I want development work in Tamil Nadu as well. To build the future of the youth of the state, I urge you to give a chance to BJP.” Asking the people to vote for development to change the fate of Tamil Nadu, he said in Tamil “Tamarai vellatum, Tamil Nadu vellatum (Lotus (BJP poll symbol) should win for Tamil Nadu to win).”