Taking a swipe at Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao for what he called as putting the “family first”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Saturday, said it was time for a government which will put the people first and predicted that the lotus (BJP symbol) will soon bloom everywhere in Telangana.

Narendra Modi was addressing BJP workers at Begumpet en route to Ramagundam on his tour to Telangana. He lauded their fight against “an oppressive” state government.

Speaking on the recently concluded Munugode bypoll, Modi said the trust the people reposed on BJP was unprecedented in which big shots were brought to their knees in this election by the party workers.

Without naming Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao or his party TRS, Modi lambasted them for failing the state which has a huge potential for development. However, he said that the lotus always starts blooming at the darkest hour.

“The way the people of Munugode showed their trust towards BJP, it is unprecedented. I saw how BJP workers brought the entire Telangana government to one Assembly seat. The bigwigs were forced to be on their knees,” said Modi recounting the Munugode bypoll that saw the TRS trouncing the BJP by over 10,000 votes.

“Every bypoll has sent out the same message that dawn is approaching. The darkness in Telangana will dissipate soon. Everywhere in Telangana the lotus will bloom,” said the Prime Minister.

He also recalled the saffron party’s deep and abiding relationship with Telangana. When the BJP was reduced to a party of two Lok Sabha seats in 1984, one of the seats won was from Hanamkonda in Warangal. He said the state never deserted the BJP even in its worst days and now, Telangana has already decided to make BJP the largest party of this state, thundered the Prime Minister.

In a jibe at the state chief minister, he said superstition still rules the roost in this modern city. Rao is known for his firm belief in Vaastu and auspicious moments. “Superstition decides where to stay, which department to go, when to form the cabinet, when to drop a minister – everything is decided by superstition,” he said.

Modi iterated that corruption and family rule were the biggest enemies of poor and the development. “Instead of family first Telangana wants a people first government,” Modi said while assuring the people that those who loot from the poor will not be spared.

In another dig at Rao he said, “You must have seen how some people are trying to unite forces in order to save themselves from investigation.” He directed the BJP workers to go to every booth and spread the word about Central schemes. He also told them to ignore the abuses heaped on him and the BJP.

“Those in power are spending all of their time and attention in abusing Modi and cursing BJP,” said the Prime Minister in an attempt to steal the thunder from TRS which certainly would counterattack him once he departs from the state. He said the abuses aimed at him energise him to work harder for the development of the country and the poor.

“While the country is developing and development projects are being sped up then some depraved minds and forces for their own political interests indulge in rumour mongering to incite people. Such rumours are being floated against Singareni Colliery Company Limited (SCCL) and other coal mines. And this is being fanned by some from Hyderabad and given colours,” said Modi.

In SCCL the state government owns 51 per cent stakes while Government of India has only 49 per cent. “There is neither any such proposal of privatising SCCL for consideration nor does the Centre have any such intention. Don’t listen to these rumours and let those who trade lies remain in Hyderabad,” he added. He said auctions of mines were being held to bring in transparency and the share of proceeds are going to inhabitants through the district mine fund.

Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao once again skipped welcoming the Prime Minister and several protests were held by TRS and coal miners trade unions.