Florida : BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi has challenged UPA leaders to submit a performance report on nine-years of rule and hoped that the 2014 general elections, like in 1977, would reflect the voice of the people of India.

“This government, which has downgraded the country, has to go. Let us affirm that this Government has to go democratically. We should work for a progressive BJP Government,” the Gujarat Chief Minister said in his address to the Indian Diaspora through a live video conference yesterday.

“Like 1977, 2014 will be the voice of the people,” Modi said.

“This election is not about any post, but to wipe the tears of the poor. It is not the farmers, the tribal, the marginalised,” Modi said in his first address to the diaspora after being nominated as the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) prime ministerial candidate.

He urged the Indian American community, particularly his supporters, to play a meaningful role in the victory of his party in the upcoming general elections next year.

“As soon as I finish (my speech) they will start, what Modi said, but friends, Modi gave answers to the people in December 2012 and BJP was chosen I want to tell the Congress friends. Do you at least agree that when Vajpayee Government was there growth rate was 8.4 per cent but now it is 4.8 per cent under this (UPA) Government,” Modi said.

Modi alleged that the Congress Party is “running away” from giving its performance report. He charged that a strong “vested interest group” is shielding the Congress party from its mis-governance.

“We need to fight against this vested interest group in the 2014 elections,” he said.

Modi was addressing the Indian American community at the conclusion of the two-day national convention of the Overseas Friends of BJP-USA.

Earlier in the day, the Overseas Friends of BFP-USA (OFBJP-USA) in a resolution urged Indian voters to elect Modi as the next prime minister of India.

The two-day national convention of the OFBJP, addressed by BJP’s spokesperson Smriti Irani among others was attended by more than 100 delegates from 22 States and even a few die-hard Modi supporters from Canada as well. The convention resolved to work towards getting 272 seats for the BJP and called it as Mission 2014.

Modi expressed his condolences for the people who died in the terrorist attack in Kenya yesterday and said that the time has come to take steps to wipe out terrorism from the world.

Highlighting the achievements of the six years rule of the NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Modi said it gave a new direction and inspiration not only India but also the world.

“Under Vajpayee government it looked like that the 21st century would be the century of India,” Modi said.

“But with the departure of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s NDA Government our dreams were dashed. The downfall of the country started,” he said in his live speech attended by some 1,000 people in Tampa.

“Only the BJP can save the country from the current crisis today. Today there is hope and aspiration for BJP. This is because, whenever any BJP member is given any responsibility, they give their best,” Modi said.

He praised the leadership of L K Advani, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shiv Raj Chauhan.

“BJP Governments are remembered in Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka,” he said.

Modi also called on Indian passport holders overseas to register themselves as voters and exercise their right to vote in the next general elections.

“If you are an Indian passport holder, you should be an Indian voter. Do not leave your exercise to vote,” Modi said.