Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a political blitzkrieg on the opponents of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at a rally in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhopal on Tuesday.

Addressing party workers at the ‘Karyakarta Mahakumbh’ in Bhopal’s Jamboori Maidan, the PM accused the Congress of trying to take the help of foreign powers in an attempt to defeat the BJP-led NDA in upcoming elections.

“The Congress is unable to weave an alliance of political parties in India. Even if they do, it appears impossible that they’d remain united. So they are looking for ‘alliances’ outside the country. Now foreign powers will decide who will be India’s PM?” said Modi, as thousands of BJP supporters waved the party flag and chanted slogans hailing Modi.

“Have you lost your balance after losing power?” said that PM, adding, “Elections come and go but there should be something left in a party which is 125 years old.”

Telling supporters in the poll-bound state that it is a duty of citizens in a democracy to save the nation from parties that have become a “burden”, PM Modi exhorted party workers to ensure that the “lotus of the BJP does not wither”.

Slamming Opposition parties for making personal attacks on him, PM Modi said that “the more they throw mud, the more will the lotus bloom” expressing confidence in his party’s electoral gains in the upcoming elections in Madhya Pradesh and other states of the country.

The PM said that during the UPA rule Union Ministers feared reprisal if they were photographed exchanging greetings with him when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat.

“When UPA was in power, they used to act like an enemy of BJP-ruled states. I was a CM and if the photo of any Union Minister accepting my Namaste was published in a newspaper, the minister used to tremble in fear that now his career is over,” said Modi at the rally aimed at shoring up BJP’s support base.

Accusing the Congress of relentlessly playing vote-bank politics, the PM said that had the party thought about the welfare of Madhya Pradesh they would have added to the state’s progress.

“In India, vote bank politics has destroyed the society like termites,” said the PM.

Urging the gathering to ensure that the BJP retains power both in Madhya Pradesh and the Centre, the PM said that recent rankings in agriculture, urban development, roads and water connectivity have placed the state on top.

Reiterating the BJP’s vision of an inclusive India, the PM said that his party makes no distinction between thought processes and ideologies.

“We accept Mahatma Gandhi, Ram Manohar Lohia and Deendayal Upadhyaya – the three great men who worked tirelessly for the welfare of every citizen, gave importance to everyone and guided the nation on its path to progress,” he said.

“Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas is not just a political cry. It is our path for a prosperous India and the fulfilment of the aspirations and hopes of crores of Indians,” the PM said amid cheers from the supporters.

“Our beloved Atal Ji, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Ji, Rajmata Scindia Ji and the lakhs of our hardworking karyakartas have left no stone unturned to serve this land. Taking inspiration from them, we will continue to work towards the welfare of our nation,” he said while reminding supporters not to let go of any opportunity to repay the “debt” of the thousands of BJP workers who gave their lives for the party and the leaders who held the saffron flag upright.

BJP president Amit Shah and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan were present at the rally which was held on the birth anniversary of party co-founder Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya.

Read More: PM Modi arrives in Bhopal to address Karyakarta Mahakumbh

Party estimates suggested that 13 lakh people took part in the ‘Karyakarta Mahakumbh’ as workers from 230 assembly seats in the state are taking part in the programme.