Launching a direct attack on the Congress government in the Centre, BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi said he wasn't bound to answer questions posed to him as he is not the Prime Minister.

Launching a direct attack on the Congress government in the Centre, the BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi said he wasn't bound to answer questions that should be directed to the Prime Minister.

"Manmohan is the Prime Minister, it's his government that is in power but they are asking Modi for answers... Congress party targets us but they don't answer questions themselves," Modi said, while addressing a rally in Pune.

Speaking of the progress the country achieved under the rule of the BJP, Modi said, "Whenever BJP was in power progress has been achieved, poor had food twice in a day but when the Congress supported government came to power, the poor suffered due to inflation."

"India has seen many forms of governance but under the government of Morarji Desai and Atalji prices of commodities were checked."

Stating that it was time for the people to choose who they prefer, Modi said there should be some parameters by which people can assess whether a government has performed well or not.

"Parameters should be set up to check if governments in power have worked well or not, then people will have no doubt about voting BJP to power."

He also called Delhi the "rape capital".

"Congress has always been involved in mud slinging," he went on. "They have made my life hell. But I have god, janta's blessings."

Earlier in the day, Congress leader Kapil Sibal challenged Modi to an open debate at any time and on any topic of his choice.

"I challenge him to a debate in the language of his choice, place of his choice, topic of his choice.. let him take it up,” Sibal had said.

“The only thing propagated is that the Congress has destroyed India, has done nothing for India. Fact of the matter is if you compare what Congress has done and what NDA has done, on every aspect – economic, social – what has been done by UPA is mind-boggling,” Sibal said.

Sibal also took on the Gujarat CM for failing to come out with his agenda of governance. “He only gives speeches in a controlled environment.. what are his views on education, foreign policy?.. If anyone aspires to be PM he has to give an alternative vision to India. What is his vision?"