Keonjhar (Orissa): Seeking another five year term to complete the "unfinished tasks", Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today (Apr 9, 2004) asked the Congress to take "rest" and allow the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) to take the country to "greater heights".

"The Congress has ruled the country for 40 years and they still want to come back to power. But there is no place for it now. Let them take rest and allow us to work," Vajpayee told an election rally in support of Biju Janata Dal (BJD)-BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) combine in the State.

"Give us five more years and we will change the face of the country," he said.

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Observing that he was in politics for over four decades, the Prime Minister said he had never defected but scrupulously followed principled politics.

Emphasising that concerted efforts would be made to step up development, he said what the country needed now was determined fight against poverty and steps to increase agricultural production.

Complimenting Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for efficiently running the State administration, Vajpayee said the Centre would continue to extend all possible assistance for the State's development.