BHOPAL: Kicking off BJP's campaign for assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday accused Congress of trying to foster ties with other countries.Addressing BJP's Karyakarta Mahakumbh here, Modi said: "Congress is not able to forge an alliance in the country. So it is looking for an alliance outside the country. After 70 years of rule, nothing is left of the 125-year-old Congress party, which is a burden on the country."At a time when caste lines are deepening in poll-bound MP, the PM attacked votebank politics, saying this was responsible for deterioration of society and politics in the country."This hindered development and left the country divided," he said."We should follow the principles laid down by our founding fathers and it is our duty to bring policies for development of all sections of society. Unfortunately, votebank politics is eating away our society and the country like termites. BJP workers aim to save the country from votebank politics and its collateral damage," Modi said.Those promoting votebank politics do not care about the nation, he said. "They are only interested in retaining power by making votebank equations to woo a particular caste and win elections. They were not interested in welfare, which turned out to be the main reason for slowing down the country's progress," he added."Give me five more years to serve the nation," the PM said, adding that his government believes in social justice for all. "Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas isn't just an election slogan. It is our guiding principle. What we did in the past few years in Madhya Pradesh, Congress could also have done, but they didn't care and remained busy in trying to retain power through various means. Now, it's time to punish them for not looking after the state's welfare," he said.The PM expressed confidence that BJP will emerge victorious in the forthcoming assembly polls as well as the Lok Sabha elections next year. "The more Congress attacks us, the more BJP will gain. Congress workers should introspect why their party is in this pitiable condition now. BJP lost in 1984, but the party didn't criticise EVMs. BJP looked inward and made progress instead," he said. "They are indulging in mudslinging because they find it easier. They have indulged in mudslinging earlier too. But I want to tell them, the more you throw mud on us, the more the lotus will bloom," added Modi, apparently referring to Congress allegations against him in the Rafale fighter deal.Blaming Congress for "turning Madhya Pradesh into a Bimaru (laggard) state", BJP national president Amit Shah said, "It's under BJP rule that it has turned into a developed state. The people of MP gave Congress an option to serve them. But there was no development in 70 years."Taking a dig at Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Shah said: "Congress, under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, claims to win major polls. Well, there is no harm in day-dreaming."