Attacking Indira Gandhi's 'garibi hatao' slogan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the call failed as the path chosen to implement it was wrong.

"We heard garibi hatao slogan for 40-50 years. The intention of those who gave it may have been good, but the path they chose to eradicate poverty was certainly wrong because poverty, umemployment and disease grew," he said.

Modi termed BJP as a party synonymous with development, saying all BJP-ruled states were developing faster than others.

"You can look at the condition of states where BJP is yet to get a foothold," he said, apparently taking a dig at the Naveen Patnaik government.

Addressing a public meeting in this 'missile city' on the completion of two years of his government, he asked the people of the state to bring about a political change.

Pitching for development in Odisha, eastern Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar and Assam, Modi said his government is committed to making the country poverty-free.

"In my first speech in Parliament, I had stated that my government is dedicated to the welfare of the poor. My aim is to ensure sustainable development in all states. There should be an integrated way of development so that all the states move forward in an even manner," he said.

The Prime Minister said, "The time has come one has to think why the western part of our country is more developed than the eastern region. Odisha is endowed with natural resources but still its people remain neglected and the state lacks development."

States like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh show that "BJP means development and development means BJP," he said.

Noting that development created all-round happiness, the Prime Minister said to attain that goal the states and the Centre must have a good understanding.

Modi said his government is giving importance to infrastructure development in areas like rail, road and schools.

The schemes meant for the people should involve them for implementation or else they will remain only on paper, he said.

listing various schemes for the poor initiated by the Centre, he said these steps had brought confidence and given them socio-economic well-being.

Governments were not for the rich and they should work towards fighting poverty, he said, adding that scientific solutions were needed to remove poverty.

During his nearly hour-long speech at the 'Vikas Utsav', Modi described himself as the country's "pradhan sevak" and welcomed public scrutiny of governmental work.

Modi said it was his responsibility to give an account of the work being done and every penny spent. Governments in the past had never come forward with any such account.

"I am happy that before the people of Odisha, the country's 'pradhan sevak' is presenting an account of the works done. Did governments in the past come here to give an account. In the past 70 years has any government given such an account. When election comes, they would come up sops," he said.

lashing out at Congress governments, Modi said, "Previous governments thought they were good. But we have seen the results. We believe in Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas...Development through people's participation."

Noting that gender discrimination is prevailing in the country, he said, "When it comes to gender equality, though we are living in the 21st century many people have a mindset that was there in the 18th century. That must change."

The Prime Minister referred to 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' scheme and lauded girls for their achievement in various examinations.

He said immunisation drive like 'Indradhanush', informal education schemes like 'Anganwadi' meant for the five to six-year-old, mid-day meal, 'Sukanya Sambrudhi', toilets for school children and others have yielded results.

The NDA government has been successful in electrifying 7,000 of the targeted 18,000 unelectrified villages in 300 days, he said, adding the remaining work would be done within 1000 days.