Rahul Gandhi's statement ruling out support to third front is damage control, says Narendra Modi

New Delhi: Hours after Rahul Gandhi ruled out supporting a Third Front, the BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi said the Congress leader has changed the track after realising that statements from several leaders of his party, about supporting such a dispensation, had "damaged" its poll prospects.

Urging people to vote for a strong BJP-led government in last two phases of polls, Mr Modi said Congress had already begun plotting about disrupting the future government as it was aware that it had lost Lok Sabha elections.

"They thought even if we lose, we would help Third Front. Several Congress leaders made such statements. When they realised that it was damaging them, then Rahul 'bhaiyya' today tried to change it. They are shaken. They never thought that their house of cards will fall down like this," Mr Modi said in a 3D address.

"You should recognise these people with malicious intentions. You should give mandate for a strong government. Send 300 lotuses (BJP symbol) to Lok Sabha," he added.

Mr Modi also attacked the Congress for aligning with Lalu Prasad.

"You have brought Laluji out of jail. I tell you that you could empty all jails in India of such people and contest election with their help but you will still lose," he said.