Amethi : BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi Monday tore into the Gandhi family, accusing them of not only being “arrogant” and “power drunk” but also of ignoring the welfare and interests of the poor.
Addressing a massive gathering at Gauriganj town in Amethi Lok Sabha constituency, from where Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi is the incumbent member, Modi sought votes for BJP candidate Smriti Irani, saying the time has come to throw out dynastic politics and espouse the cause of development.
Challenging Gandhi to a debate with Irani, the Bharatiya Janata Party leader said if the media wants to test the competence of both the candidates, they should ask them the names of villages in the constituency.
He said if Irani – who he called his younger sister – names 100 villages, the Congress leader would not know about more than 10.
Modi said he has not sent Irani to Amethi to increase the tension of Rahul Gandhi but to end the tension of the people.
“I do not believe in ‘badla’ (revenge), but in the politics of ‘badlaav’ (change),” he said.
The Gujarat chief minister said Congress leaders scoff at him on what would be his future if he lost the polls.
“Congress leaders say that Rahulji in case of loss will be leader of opposition, but what happens to Modi? I can assure them that in such a scenario my tea-selling vend is ready,” he said to loud applause.
Slamming Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s comment that he practised “politics of anger”, Modi said Rajiv Gandhi, then as Congress general secretary, had humiliated a party chief minister in Andhra Pradesh.
He said Sitaram Kesri was thrown out of the Congress on the wishes of Sonia Gandhi and even the mortal remains of former prime minister P.V. Narasimha Rao were not allowed to be kept at the Akbar Road office of the party because she had wanted it that way.
“This trend of anger has been continued by Rahul Gandhi who humiliated the prime minister by terming as ‘nonsense’ an ordinance passed by the cabinet,” he said.
Modi also took an indirect jibe at Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on how she had responded to a reporter’s question on Smriti Irani by asking who she was.
Stating that such “arrogance” has no place in democracy, Modi urged the people to end dynastic politics and instead vote for development. Amethi goes to the polls May 7.
Meanwhile in Delhi, Priyanka Gandhi retaliated to Modi’s comments, saying he had insulted her “martyred” father Rajiv Gandhi and people of the constituency will not forgive this.
Priyanka said in a statement that party’s booth workers in Amethi will give a reply to the “low level politics.”
“They have insulted my martyred father on the soil of Amethi. People of Amethi will never forgive them for this wrong act. My workers at booths will reply to this despicable politics. Each and every booth of Amethi will give a reply,” Priyanka Gandhi said.