Patiala (Punjab): Accusing Congress of being interested only in itself rather than the nation, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today (Mar 18, 2004) said the party's charge that the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) Government had "destroyed" the country amounted to defaming India.

Addressing an election rally, he said that Congress had failed to implement the basic works which his Government had taken up and expressed readiness for a comparison of the five-year NDA rule with that of Congress' 50 years.

"Congress is alleging that we have brought down the country's respect. This is far from truth," Vajpayee said questioning the basis of the charge.

Listing the progressive and development-oriented works done by his Government in the fields of agriculture, industries, science, education and healthcare, he asked, "Are these the signs of destroying the country? We have also fought elections but never indulged in defaming the country."

He recalled when Bangladesh was formed and said he, as Opposition leader, had congratulated the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

"But now there is no one to compliment," the Prime Minister said.

He alleged that Congress was more concerned about the party interest rather than that of the nation and said, "This situation has to be changed."

Seeking mandate for another term, Vajpayee said the work done by his Government during the last five years could be "examined and tested" by the people.

He said the Government was not bothered even if the work done during his tenure was compared to that of 50 years of previous Governments' rule.

Referring to the problems of drought and floods, the Prime Minister said immediately after independence concerns were expressed by Congress leaders but no steps were taken to address these.

"Now we have decided to solve these problems by inter-linking of rivers," he said adding his Government was doing what Congress could not do.

"Why should there be drought in the country? We should save every drop of water," he said, predicting that water crisis was going to be a major problem in the world in the future.

On construction of roads, Vajpayee said that for the first time four-lane roads were being built across the country for use in the future.