“It is time for a change in Meghalaya,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he addressed a huge turnout of BJP supporters in Phulbari of the poll-bound state in India’s Northeast.

In his second public event on Thursday, 22 February, the Prime Minister exhorted the people to vote the BJP to power for the sake of development “denied” to them till now because of the ruling Congress government.

In a response to a charge levelled by Rahul Gandhi, PM Modi reminded the gathering that it was the BJP which rescued all the nurses safely from ISIS captivity in 2014 soon after he came to power.

“It was the BJP government which rescued nurses from Iraq and brought them safe to Kerala. They all were Christians,” he said.

“In their (BJP’s) arrogance, they think that they can buy god,” Gandhi had said during his Meghalaya tour on Wednesday, 21 February.

The 47-year-old Congress leader was referring to the Rs 70-crore project announced by Union Tourism Minister KJ Alphons for the beautification of churches and religious institutions of Meghalaya under the larger Swadesh Darshan Scheme.

Read More: From Meghalaya, Rahul launches ‘Church’, ‘Modi’ attack on BJP

Attacking the Congress on Thursday, PM Modi said that the government led by Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has taken the people for granted due to a lack of political challenge.

The PM opened and closed his address in the local language of the State.

Throughout his speech he highlighted the failures of the ruling government in the state while informing the gathering of the plans, initiatives and schemes of his government at the Centre.

“The current government has wasted your 50 years. Give us a chance to serve the state. We will ensure good governance guided by the philosophy of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’,” the PM said.

Accusing the government of indulging in corruption, the PM used the “commission” barb on Sangma.

He said that Congress has never given a record of its work, which he promised will be given if the BJP comes to power.

“Under PMGSY, we (the Centre) provided around Rs 470 crore for construction of 1100 km of road. However, Meghalaya government was unable to spend 50 per cent of (the amount on) the work” PM Modi said.

The PM said that his government plans to build a new airport at Shillong, the capital, at a cost of Rs 180 crore to improve the boost industrial development and employment.

He said that the Centre has approved the construction of 21,000 houses in Meghalaya and provided more than Rs 100 crore to the State government.

Highlighting Meghalaya’s strength in the tourism sector, the PM said that the Congress government completely ignored the core strength.

“Though the current CM is a doctor himself, healthcare sector is in bad shape. Women are forced to deliver babies at home, which poses a great threat to the lives of mother and baby,” the PM alleged.

Meghalaya, which has 27 assembly seats, goes to polls on 27 February. The results will be announced on 3 March. The PM addressed a rally in Nagaland earlier today.