Taking a dig at Congress President Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi, BJP PM candidate Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that the 2014 Lok Sabha polls spelt the end of the Government of "mother and son".

"I am seeing this sea of people who have come to support me. It is clear that ' ma bete ki sarkar gayi ' (this is the end of the Government run by mother and son)," Modi told media persons after casting his vote for BJP candidate and senior leader L.K. Advani in Ranip, Gandhinagar constituency.

He said the Congress accepted defeat the day the elections were notified.

The Gujarat chief minister arrived at 8.30 am at Nishan school to cast his ballot, amid heavy security and the presence of hundreds of onlookers eager to catch a glimpse of him.

Modi said this election had laid the foundation of a strong Government in the country.

"It has brought a new hope and promise that will give strength to the nation. The people have entrusted thie faith in the BJP. This election should be about development and good governance. The country is voting positively," he said.

Speaking of price rise, corruption and unemployment, Modi said he was trying to find a solutions to these issues, whereas the Congress was trying to find a solution to him.

With an eye on Uttar Pradesh, he accused the Congress, Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party of thwarting the interests of Dalits. "In the last decade, UP has seen the highest number of crimes against Dalits."

He apologised to the people of Gujarat for his absence.

Polling is under way on Wednesday in all the 26 Lok Sabha constituencies in Gujarat. Modi is contesting from Vadodara.

( > This news report was first published in The Hindu online edition )

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