PICS: Modi speaks in Telugu at Hyderabad, wows crowds

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi kick-started the election campaigning for the Bharatiya Janata Party in Andhra Pradesh by starting his speech in Telugu, much to the amusement of the crowd. Vicky Nanjappa, who witnessed the event, reports.

Modi made a passionate 50-minute speech at the Lal Bahadu Shastri stadium in Hyderabad, which covered the Telangana issue and more importantly a call for a ‘Congress Free India’. Seeking the blessings of Tirupathi Sri Venkateshwara and the people of Andhra, Modi said that it was his honour to be in Hyderabad.

“I must tell you that I feel happy that the Hyderabad Liberation Day and my birthday fall on the same day,” he said amid many cheers. Seeking to clarify the controversy pertaining to the Rs 5 entry fee, Modi praised the organisers by saying it was a noble way of contributing towards the relief work in Uttarakhan

The organisers had decided to collect Rs 5 as a registration fee which had come under flak. Modi said that he is grateful to the people of Andhra for contributing towards the relief work.

“I know so many people have come to listen to me speak. I feel bad that all could not come inside (the stadium). There are many who are watching me on televisions, but I feel sad that I cannot see all of you. I assure that I will come back and meet all of you,” he said.

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“The security of the nation is in doldrums today. The country wants peace but our government does not seem to listen. When five soldiers were beheaded by Pakistan, the prime minister said that the next time this happens, they would deal with an iron fist. Pakistan has done it yet again. Today the country wants to know what exactly is the prime minister doing about it,” he said.

“The problem is that the United Progressive Alliance is drowned in vote bank politics. The Border Security Force has been told to go easy on intruders from the Bangladesh border. I don’t understand why we are inviting these intruders who pose a risk. Can we trust such a government?” he said.

Modi also mocked Foreign Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid. “China had committed an intrusion and it was there for all of us to see. When he (Khurshid) visited China, we expected him to deal with the border issue sternly. I was shocked when he began praising Beijing only to add that he would love to settle down in such a city,” Modi added.

“Drown, drown, drown these people who run such a government. Then comes another shocker when the same minister goes to Jaipur and feeds the Pakistanis (Pakistan Prime Minister  biriyani. When asked he says it is protocol. What protocol do we need to follow with the people who behead our soldiers?” he asked the crowd.

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On the killing of fishermen by Italian marines off the Kerala coast, he said “Let us speak about the killing of the fishermen. These poor fishermen were out seeking their bread and butter to feed their families, but were killed. Those marines got bail so easily and I would like to know whose influence they used? After getting bail they leave for Italy and say they will not come back. This government did nothing. Thank God for the Supreme Court, which intervened following which they were sent back,” he said, adding that the Congress was not serious about anything.

“I am really worried for the people of the country today. Forget Delhi for a moment and look at Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh which are governed by the Congress. These are suicide capitals of India,” he said.

On the very controversial Telangana issue, Modi was tactful. He started off by saying that during the regime of former Prime Minister A B Vajpayee, small states were created. Each of the regions distributed sweets among each other.

“Is that the case in Andhra Pradesh. The Congress has made you fight among each other.

The Congress had assured that it would give Telangana back in 2004. Did they do it? If they were serious and wanted peace, they should have started building a capital for Seema-Andhra back then itself and ensured that it was as progressive as Hyderabad,” said.

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Is this the reward they give a state which has given them the most number of members of Parliament on the basis of which their government in Delhi stands? Here they are splitting the people. Yes, the BJP has always favoured the formation of Telangana. But we also said that Seema-Andhra should never be neglected,” he added.

He called upon the people of all the three regions to maintain peace and live as brothers.

“Do not fight among each other. In Surat and Ahmedabad, there are 4 and 5 lakh Telugu speaking people respectively. We live in perfect harmony with each other. Why cant you too? The only intention should be the development of all the three regions,” he said. On the Food Security Bill, Modi said that this was the insecurity of the government.

“When the BJP was in power in Delhi, all the poor had food to eat. Today, the UPA needs this bill as they know they have robbed the poor of their food. What inclusive growth does the Congress speak about? I feel they exclude everyone. They have become a burden on the country,” he said.

“Today I want to remember NTR (former Andhra Chief Minister N T Rama Rao), whose dream was a Congress free India. The best way to honour such a great man is to kick the Congress out. The Telugu Desam Party has the legacy of NTR, and it is their responsibility to help fulfill this dream,” he added.

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“I know the Congress hates Gujarat. Alright, you hate it don’t speak about it. But then why are you not speaking about Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu which are symbols of development. Go to these states and see how the poor are being looked after,” he said.

“The nation is in doldrums today and the value of the rupee is falling very badly. When India got its Independence one dollar was equal to a rupee. Today $1 is equal to over Rs 60, which incidentally is the age of our finance minister (P Chidambaram), Modi said amid peals of laughter from the crowd.

Modi ended his address by telling to crowd to get up and chant after him. “Raise both your hands up and say yes we can. Jai Telangana, Jai Seema-Andhra.”

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