Stating that the era of poll alliances was over, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the people of Maharashtra here today to give BJP "a full majority" in the October 15 Assembly elections.
Accusing the Congress-NCP regime of "looting" the state, Modi said both will be equally punished.
"The era of alliances has ended. If you want Maharashtra to progress, then give us full majority," Modi said, addressing an election campaign rally here.
Modi cited examples of adjoining Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh where voters had given the BJP a full majority. "Maharashtra could be the number one state in the country," he said.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar chose the Rajya Sabha route for himself but made Praful Patel a scapegoat and fielded him for Lok Sabha polls, Modi said.
"The Maharashtra Assembly polls will decide the fate of Maharashtra," he said.
Modi observed that the inflation rate has come down for the first time in five years and cited reduction in petrol and diesel prices as important work done by his government.
"Both Congress and NCP have destroyed Maharashtra. Both are equally to blame and both will be equally punished," he said.
"The maximum number of terror acts occur in Maharashtra. After Uttar Pradesh, the maximum communal riots occur in Maharashtra," he said.
Appealing to the Maoists to shun violence and return to the mainstream, Modi said, "Put down guns from your shoulders and put ploughs on your shoulder. You will get relief."
"Return to the mainstream. Stop the bloodshed. Be a partner in the country's progress. Nobody has succeeded through violence," he said.
