Bangalore : Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi took to Kannada while addressing a rally in Bangalore on Sunday, saying a saffron wave was sweeping Karnataka.

“I see waves of BJP supporters. It is such a delightful sight… (this was) never seen before in Karnataka.”

Trying to touch a chord with voters in a state where the BJP was ousted in the Assembly polls earlier this year, Modi said, “Bangalore leads the way in technology, knowledge and science. I congratulate the people of Karnataka.”

Modi showered praises on son of the soil scientist CNR Rao, who will be honoured with the Bharat Ratna.

The BJP’s Bangalore rally assumes significance in the wake of the BS Yeddyurappa-led Karnataka Janata Paksha announcing unconditional support to the BJP. The former chief minister’s desertion had delivered a blow to the BJP’s Assembly poll prospects.

Modi countered the attacks on him by the Congress, saying the latter had resorted to using abusive languages.

“The attacks on BJP and me have increased in recent times. I don’t know what not is being done to bring us down.”

He criticised the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre over falling growth.

“If there is no growth what can we export? Where will our youth go for jobs? The economy of the country is in a dangerous situation.”

In line with his recent speeches, Modi stressed the youth power to create a better India.

BJP president Rajnath Singh, who also addressed the Bangalore rally, accused the Congress of adopting a “divide and rule” ploy.

“The Congress has adopted ‘divide and rule’ strategy. Poverty, unemployment, income disparity are rising. We need an action plan.”

Referring to the 2009 snooping allegation directed at Modi, he reiterated “no power can stop us.”

“We will win all seats in Karnataka in the Lok Sabha polls,” Singh said.

Narendra Modi speaks in Kannada at his Bangalore rally

• Bangalore leads the way in technology, knowledge and science. I congratulate the people of Karnataka: Modi

• Firstly, I want to thank and congratulate prof CNR Rao and Sachin Tendulkar for their Bharat Ratna nominations: Modi

• Wherever I see, I see waves of BJP supporters. It is such a delightful sight, never seen before in Karnataka: Modi

• The attacks on BJP and me have increased in recent times. I don’t know what not is being done to bring us down: Modi

• Our youth have done well all over the world, especially in the IT sector. And Bangalore leads the way: Modi

• Shastri ji said ‘jai jawan, jai kisan’ and Atal ji said, ‘jai jawan, jai kisan, jai vigyaan’: Modi

• I want to remember two prime ministers today. If we want to take nation ahead we need to embrace the mantra they gave: Modi

• Under UPA 1 and 2 there has been fall in growth. If there is no growth what can we export? Where will our youth go for jobs?

• In 2003, Atal ji announced Moon Mission from Red Fort, in 2008 Chandrayan was a success. Mangalyaan is a continuation of that S&T policy.

• Karnataka youth have made India proud in IT. After Silicon Valley, it is here in Bengaluru where IT professionals work in large numbers.

• The attacks on BJP and Modi have become sharper because they can neither bring about such rallies, nor digest the fact that they can’t: Modi

• The economy of the country is in a dangerous situation: Modi

• For the Congress, the young are only voters, for us they are the real power: Modi

• Do we want India to rule the 21st century? Then we must utilize our two gems- biggest democracy and huge young population: Modi

• UPA is giving subsidies to butcher houses in big amounts. They have no connection with real issues: Modi

• In 2011, Congress opened the skill development advisory office. And then, in 2013 they shut it: Modi

• India’s budget for skill development in Rs. 1,000 crore. In Gujarat the budget is Rs. 800 crore: Modi

• What has the govt done for skill development? The entire world keeps stressing on it, but not the Congress: Modi

• Congress promised to give jobs to the youth. Instead, they made our youth jobless: Modi

• Social media is a powerful tool today, but the Congress wants to restrict it

• In democracy do people not have the right to say what they want? Cong doesn’t believe in democracy: Modi

• Is this democracy? Congress doesn’t want opinion polls, doesn’t want Lata Mangeshkar to say who she wants as PM: Modi

• A few days back Goldman Sachs says Modi as PM will be good for Indian economy: Modi