BJP’s election campaign committee chief and Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi has lashed out at the Congress-led UPA government and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over corruption and fall in the value of rupee.
Addressing a massive rally on Tuesday in Jaipur, Mr Modi appealed to the gathering to oust the Congress from the power in state as well at the Centre.
Mr Modi, kick-starting his party’s poll campaign, gave a clarion call to the people to vote for BJP. His speech, laced with wit and satire, made scathing attacks on the Congress. He shared the stage at the event along with the BJP president Rajnath Singh and former chief minister Vasundhara Raje.
The Gujarat CM blamed the UPA for the current economic situation and said the PM had failed to save the falling Rupee.
Taking a dig at the Congress, Mr Modi referred to instances of alleged corruption and said the Congress had managed to invent a new form of alphabets: “A for Adarsh ghotala, B for Bofors ghotala, C for Coal ghotala, D for Damad (Son-in-law) ka ghotala .. This is the new ABCD.. Which the Congress adopted to introduce a new book of alphabets for children,” the BJP’s leader said addressing the mammoth rally.
“Congress ke paas na neta hai, na neeti hai, na netikta hai aur niyat bhi nahi hai (The Congress is lacking leadership, principle, probity and intention to serve the country),said Mr Modi.
In his speech laced with sharp comments on the Congress, the Gujarat CM said it was unfortunate the Congress was busy only with saving its own image.
He added the nation was surprised by Dr Singh’s comments at the G-20 summit. “It is sad that the PM said he would be ready to work under someone else,” said Mr Modi without naming Rahul Gandhi. “Those who have been running the government for the last decade ,do not want to shoulder any accountability,” he said.
His speech was marred with interruptions while he attempted to strike a chord and gathering shouted slogans.
A group of Muslims in skull-caps and women in burqa were also seen at the rally.
However, a party worker from the minority community was seen providing skull-caps to them. “There is nothing wrong with it... The skull cap is identity of Muslims,” said Abdul Asid, a party worker.
The BJP minority cell had asked the Muslims to come in traditional attire.