Accusing the Congress of always using poverty as a major political weapon, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the best remedy to eradicate poverty is to do away with that party.

'The Congress has all along been reaping political benefits by employing poverty as a major weapon. Poverty cannot be eradicated as long as the Congress exists,' Modi said addressing the BJP's election rally in Sonepur which falls under the Balangir Lok Sabha constituency in west Odisha.

Calling for 'Congress hathao', he said poverty will disappear on its own if the Congress is removed.

Noting that Congress only raised slogans for the eradication of poverty for generations but never took any steps to ensure it, he said poor people have turned poorer and their leaders and ministers became richer.

The Congress as well as the BJD, used poverty for politics, as a result, a major part of the country including Odisha has been in immense poverty for decades.

Maoists are taking advantage of the situation, Modi said.

Assembly election in Odisha is scheduled to be held along with the Lok Sabha polls in four phases beginning April 11.