Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh criticised the Congress party on Wednesday for the unprecedented growth in the level of poverty and unemployment.
Addressing a rally in Madhya Pradesh's Khandwa District, Singh said: "The ruling Congress government and the family within the Congress party, which has remained in power for long, is the main reason behind the rising poverty and unemployment, and there is no other reason."
"When you are aware of the fact that poverty and unemployment is due to Congress then why not make India a Congress-free nation so that it becomes a great nation," he added.
Assembly polls for five states-Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and New Delhi-are being held from November 11 to December 4, and are being seen as a warm-up for next year's general elections.
The Bharatiya Janata Party is trying to unseat the ruling Congress party, which has been weakened by a string of corruption scandals, high inflation and stuttering growth after nine years in power.
However, it is counting on its record of support for the rural population, which makes up two-thirds of India's population.
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Rajnath Singh also criticised Congress party for instilling fear of BJP among the Muslims.
"Congress has tried to instil fear of Bharatiya Janata Party among the Muslims but I would like to assure you that we do not want to win your votes through fear but by winning your love and trust," he added.
During the rally, Singh also lashed out at the central government for allowing Sartaj Aziz, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs, to interact with Kashmiri separatist leaders in New Delhi.
"In the wake of recent incidents of ceasefire violations, India has allowed the foreign advisor of Pakistan to interact with separatist leaders. The government is unable to understand the international diplomatic measures," added Singh.
Aziz met the Kashmiri separatist leaders on November 10, and had said that he hoped for peace along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.