Narendra Modi speaking at a rally in Mumbai
Mumbai/Kalyan: Narendra Modi accused the Congress of ganging up with allies to stop him from becoming the Prime Minister and hiding in "bunker" of secularism to avoid accountability of ten-year UPA rule as he wrapped his campaign today in Maharashtra, which goes to the polls in third and last phase on April 24. (
India Votes 2014: Full Coverage)
Addressing two rallies - at Kalyan in adjoining Thane district and at MMRDA Ground in suburban Mumbai - in support of Shiv Sena-BJP-led "Mahayuti" (grand alliance) candidates, the BJP's PM nominee once again targeted Congress and its top leadership, which has been a recurring theme of his speeches.
The saffron stalwart attacked Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and her son
Rahul Gandhi, saying the ruling party along with its allies had ganged up to stop him from taking the top job.
"They shiver just on hearing my name. They are afraid of losing their place (in ruling set up) after May 16 (the counting day)," Mr Modi said at the well-attended rallies.
He said Congress leadership was hiding in the "bunker" of secularism to escape accountability for their performance in the last ten years of UPA rule.
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray along with top leaders of the saffron alliance were present at the Mumbai rally. It is for the first time the Gujarat Chief Minister addressed a joint poll meet with Mr Thackeray.
The state, which has 48 Lok Sabha seats, the second highest after UP, goes to polls in the third and last phase on April 24 campaigning for which will end tomorrow.
Nineteen constituencies spread over North Maharashtra, Mumbai, Thane, Marathwada and Konkan will vote on Thursday.
The first and second phases of polling were held in the state on April 10 and 17.
Earlier, the BJP leader spoke at a public meeting in Kalyan, where he said the Congress has a single agenda of "Modi roko" (stop Modi).
Mr Modi said 232 Lok Sabha constituencies (out of 543) have voted so far and it was clear from the turnout that the UPA government was on its way out.
"The polling so far has laid the foundation stone of the next government. It is the duty of those going to vote in the next phases to ensure they support a strong and stable government," he said and urged people to see to it that the
Congress-NCP combine does not open its account in the state.
"You give us a mandate for a strong government and we will ensure this nation becomes strong."