'SP, BSP are competing to collect criminals in their parties', says Modi

Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) prime ministerial aspirant Narendra Modi on Friday hit out at the Samajwadi party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) for indulging in vote bank politics, and added that the two parties are competing amongst themselves to collect criminals for their party.

SP, BSP are competing to collect criminals, and make money through corruption. Two BJP MLAs were wrongly arrested and put behind bars. I want to ask those 'shehenshah's' in power in Uttar Pradesh, what was the reason you jailed two of our MLAs and your case did not stand in a court of law? For vote bank politics, they don't want to keep criminals in jail, and want to imprison innocent people," he said while addressing a rally here today.

"In Uttar Pradesh when there is power failure it makes is no news, but when there is electricity supply it makes news. There is a competition as to who has the most number of criminals in their parties, there is competition on corruption," he added.

He further lauded West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for consistently fighting for various demands for her state, and questioned the two parties of Uttar Pradesh about their demands for the development of the state.

"The leaders of BSP and SP do not ask for anything for Uttar Pradesh. They ask for relief from CBI for themselves. Mamata Banerjee fights for Bengal, demands from Centre for development in Bengal, but SP and BSP never ask anything for UP's development," he said.

Modi also said that Uttar Pradesh has the potential to develop itself, and added that if the state had progressed, the entire country would have fared better.

"We have to stress on skill development - that is the only way we can ensure jobs for youth. In Gujarat, Sugar mills start working after Dussehra. Here in UP, Diwali has gone by, but the mills are yet to start functioning. If Uttar Pradesh decides, India can get political stability," he said.

Modi said that the UPA is worried of losing the upcoming elections.

"UPA is worried as they are going to lose for sure. They know that if BJP forms the government, people who have been destroying the country will be booked. When these people realise that they can't tackle Modi democratically, they use the CBI," he said.

"People, who will destroy India, will have to pay a price. Answer us, why haven't you fulfilled your promises to the people? The Congress is running the government. They have to answer to the people. But they are asking me questions," he added.