No bank defaulter to be spared, will bring back looted money: PM Narendra Modi

GUWAHATI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said he will ensure that the money looted by the rich from banks is brought back.

"When the banks were nationalized, it was said that it was done for the poor people. However the poor people were deprived” of banking facilities, Modi said, addressing a BJP election rally at Rangapara in Assam.

"I have opened the doors of the bank for the poor," he said, while reiterating that he would bring back those who fled after looting banks.

During a speech where he highlighted the BJP-led government's performance at the Centre, Modi also promised development to Assam and attacked the Tarun Gogoi-led Congress government in the state.

Modi said he has ended the reign of middlemen. "…that is why they (middlemen) are shouting against me. Let me tell them you days are over. You enjoyed it for 60 years."

Modi said his dream is to provide a house to every poor. "For this if I have to empty the exchequer, I will do it," he added.

The largest investment in the railways in the Northeast since independence was made by the NDA government, he said. "For roadways, we are investing close to Rs 12,000 crore in Assam. In Rangapara area alone, around Rs 2,000 crore is invested."

He asked the people to give a decisive mandate to the BJP to form the next government in Assam. A decisive mandate will help improve Assam’s stature at the national level, Modi said. "Letter 'A' will be known as Assam."

Attacking the chief minister, he said: "Gogoi has said that I have cataract so could not see development in Assam. But even a blind person can feel that there is no roads here."

Modi said: "People of Assam have showered love on me and I promise to return the same with interest by development. It is the Congress which gave Assam poverty. One crore people are below poverty line in Assam. Gogoi has cheated the people in the last 15 years, dashed their dreams. Congress has made country poor in last 60 years, looted the country."