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Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sushma Swaraj on Monday launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, saying the need was to fight to liberate India from the ruling party.

Addressing party workers at the BJP Mahila Karyakarta Sammelan in the national capital, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha said, "Rani of Jhansi fought to liberate India from British. Today, we women will fight to liberate India from the Congress."

Donning a saffron turban, Swaraj expressed concern over the rise in instances of crime against women, saying, "Indian women are in politics, they have reached the space. They have achieved so much, but it’s a shame that women are not safe in India."

Asserting that the wave in the country was in favour of the BJP, Swaraj hinted at the possibility of an early poll. Claiming that there were doubts over the possibility of the survival of the UPA government for full term, the powerful orator said, "Mission 2014 can also be Mission 2013."

On the BJP’s poll strategy, Swaraj said, "In the upcoming Assembly elections, we have to snatch states from the Congress and defend ours. This is our aim."

"There is no point in talking about agriculture growth, GDP figures and so on. There is no need to tell the women about it. You talk to them about their pain... When you reach out to a woman from a slum, or a woman from an affluent section, talk to them about their specific concerns," Swaraj said.

Citing an example, she said while talking with young women working in call centres, the women workers should discuss issues about their security.

Swaraj advised the cadre to be well-versed with the party’s viewpoints and counter the opponent accordingly. She also gave suggestions for the Assembly polls due in five states.

"In states like Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh where we are in power, the workers should enumerate the various achievements of our governments while in Delhi and Rajasthan you should tell the people about the failures of the Congress there and at the Centre," Swaraj said.

BJP strategy is to highlight issues affecting the women directly and price rise will be underscored prominently by the party. "Earlier rations were costly, now even milk, vegetables, power, water, education fees and medicines have become dearer... Even gas cylinders are being rationed now," she said.

Speaking on the occasion, former BJP president Nitin Gadkari emphasised that Congress-led government has failed to ensure the safety of women across the country. "You should choose a party which can promise to gouge out the eyes of those who look at women with the wrong intentions," he said.

(With PTI inputs)