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Dubbed as non-secular by the opposition, BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi today tried to reach out to Muslims, saying change had to be brought in the lives of poor members of the community.
Addressing an election rally at Firozabad, Modi said, "There is a need to change the lives of the poor Muslims."
Alleging that the Centre had opened the doors of trade for China which destroyed the bangle and glass industry in Firozabad, Modi said, "To develop the industry here, research and innovation institute is needed to be set up."
The industry employs a sizable number of Muslims.
Making a veiled attack on Congress President Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra in Etah, Modi wondered whether there was "a magician in the country who could turn Rs 1 lakh into Rs 300 crore in merely three years."
"Enquiry would be conducted against 'jijai' and all other episodes of corruption (if BJP came to power)," he said.
Reacting to a comment of Union Minister Jairam Ramesh, Modi said, "It is true Modi is "jahar" (poison), but for those, who had been plundering the country."
Rejecting BJP's claim that there was a Modi-wave in Jharkhand, Ramesh had yesterday said, "Modi-wave nahin hai, Modi-jahar hai (there is no Modi-wave, there is a poisonous wave)."
Vowing to cleanse the political system, Modi said once BJP comes to power at the Centre, his government would not spare those having criminal records and would ask the Supreme Court that their cases be decided within a year.
He claimed people had given mandate to BJP during the polling in 232 Lok sabha seats held so far.
Expressing confidence over his party's performance in the polls, Modi said, "There is BJP wave and BJP will surely be in power."
Accusing Congress of spreading corruption, Modi said, "people would not like to give the country again in the hands of people who are involved in these acts."
Hitting out at Congress further, Modi said the party had "mislead" the country on the issue of women safety.
"Seven of the top 10 states in terms of crimes against women are ruled by Congress," he said.
He also targeted SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, saying, "the father-son government in Uttar Pradesh is also fully corrupt and under their regime, crimes have been increasing."
"There has been no development in UP so far and there is problem of electricity, roads which in a way is affecting people and their daily work," he said.
