Live reporting: Modi addresses poll rally in Chhattisgarh

Bemetra(Chhattisgarh): Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi today challenged the Congress to name Ajit Jogi as its chief ministerial candidate in Chhattisgarh.Addressing an election rally here, Modi made several tongue-in-cheek remarks about Jogi, and said, while the Congress leaders mention his name in private, they are unwilling to name him as chief ministerial candidate. "What is the reason? Why are they hiding his name? Are they hiding the stories of sin? Are the Congress leaders trying to push him to power through the back door?", asked Modi. At another stage in his speech, Modi said, Congress President "Madam" Sonia Gandhi was unwell and he should give work to her son "Shazada".Modi was at that point challenging the Congress to show at least one state where its government is giving free rice or round-the-clock power supply. "I know Madam is unwell, but then he should give some work to his Shahzada, to ensure that there is at least one Congress state where there is 24-hours power supply", said Modi. The BJP prime ministerial candidate said, Congress has failed to fulfil its promises made in 2009 to bring down prices within 100 days. "Tell me, how much onion you get for Rs 26 - the income level fixed by Planning Commission for below poverty level people? 300 grams of onions?"Modi praised the tribals of Chhattisgarh for giving a befitting reply to Maoists braving their threats to boycott elections. Modi also praised the security personnel who were killed and injured in attacks by Maoists in the first phase of polls. "They gave their lives to protect ours and yours' right to cast your vote", said Modi Modi requested the Election Commission of India to give posthumous honours and awards to the kin of brave security personnel who laid their lives to ensure peaceful polling throughout India. Modi slammed the Congress for opposing opinion polls, saying fear of losing elections was the reason behind its "nonsensical" demand and "desperate" tactics.He launched a shrill attack against Sonia and Rahul Gandhi on their claim that the Centre was giving funds to the state but it was not able to use them properly. He asked if these funds to Chhattisgarh are coming from Rahul's "maternal uncle" (mama) - a dig at Sonia's Italian origin."There are going to lose power in 2014.... BJP and NDA are going to form the government in Delhi. Hence they are trying to ban all opinion polls.... These scared, frightened people are in fear of losing power. They are talking nonsense and resorting to desperate tactics," Modi said.Targeting Sonia Gandhi, Modi said before levelling charges that the state is still poor and suffering from malgovernance under BJP rule, she should do "some homework and then come here"."All Congress leaders- Prime Minister, Finance Minister have praised the Chhattisgarh government. Your government has given several awards and felicitated Chhattisgarh so many times. The state has progressed under Raman Singh," Modi said.The BJP leader said Congress should first implement the election promises it is making here like free rice and 24-hour electricity in states where it is in power.He also sought to know why Congress is scared of disclosing the name of its Chief Ministerial candidate. "If a sting is conducted of Congress leaders, they take the name of Ajit Jogi as their CM candidate. Why is it that you fear losing polls if his name is declared. What are the sins that are preventing you from declaring his name?" he said.Alleging that Congress claims of giving massive funds to Chhattisgarh under various schemes is an insult to its people, Modi said, "Sonia Madam and Shehzade (Rahul) had come here. Said so much foodgrains and funds were given. Are you people standing here with a begging bowl.... What kind of language is the Congress speaking".Asserting that the people have a right to central funds, he said, "I want to ask Shehzada, did he get the money from his maternal uncle's (mama) house. This is the people's money."Modi sought to know "why the Congress is trying to come to power through the backdoor".Referring to election campaign slogan 'Congress lao Chhattisgarh bachao (Bring Congress to save Chhattisgarh', Modi said, "Chhattisgarh is in India and Congress is ruling the nation at Centre but even after that they say bring Congress in Chhattisgarh and save it as if they don't feel the tribal dominated state is in India."Who is ruling the nation? Is Chhattisgarh not in India? But Congress gives advertisements Congress lao Chhattisgarh bachao. It clearly means you (Congress top leaders) are sitting in Delhi, but do not consider Chhattisgarh as your own," he said.He also accused Congress of making false promises in its election manifesto for Chhattisgarh Assembly election."Where there are Congress governments - Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, do they give free rice there? No. Then why fool people here," he said."Is there even one Congress government in the nation that is giving 24-hour power, including in Delhi, where Madam Sonia, PM and Shahzada live?"But Gujrat and Chhattisgarh have acheived this feat, he claimed, adding "either give 24-hour power in your (Congress ruled) states or do not mislead people of Chhattisgarh".Here are the updates: 12:50 pm: Modi reaches the dais. 12:55 pm: Modi praises the tribals and security personnel in Chhattisgarh for making the first phase of polling a success. 12:58 pm: Modi asks EC to posthumously honour kin of brave security personnel who laid down their lives during elections1:16 pm: Congress leaders are trying to fool you, Modi tells voters. They have made up their mind to make Ajit Jogi as CM if party comes to power, but are afraid to announce his name. Why? Are they trying to hide his sins(paap ki kathayen)? asks Modi . Are they trying to sneak in Jogi from the back door?1:18 pm: Our party clearly said, Dr Raman Singh will be out CM, then what's the problem with Congress? Howsoever they may try to hide, the people of Chhattisgarh know the reality. 1:20 pm: Madam (Sonia Gandhi) and Shahzada (Rahul Gandhi) came from Delhi here and said Centre sent money to Chhattisgarh. Whose money is this? Does not the money belong to the people of India and of Chhattisgarh? Has the Shahzada brought this money from his mama (maternal uncle)?, asks Modi. This is an insult to the people of Chhattisgarh, the people of India. These leaders are arrogant, and people will never accept such arrogance. 1:22 pm: These Congress leaders run governments in Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and other states. Do they give free rice there, like here in Chhattisgarh? Let them give free rice there first, says Modi. Do they give 24-hour power supply, like we give in Gujarat?1: 23 pm: Madam, I know you are unwell, why don't you work to your Shahzada. At least give him one state where he can provide 24-hour power supply? Modi at his rhetoric best. 1:24 pm: Their Planning Commission says earning Rs 26 a day will make a family live above poverty line. Tell me, how much onions do you get for Rs 26? 300 gms? These people are making fun of poverty, says Modi. For them, poverty is just a vote, he says.1:25 pm: BJP and NDA is going to come to power at the Centre next year. So better vote a BJP government here, and see how Chhattisgarh progresses, Modi gives his sales talk. 1:26 pm: Modi ends his speech.