Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday slammed Congress President Rahul Gandhi for his “why are all Modis thieves” barb, saying using derogatory language has become synonymous with the naamdar (dynast).

Addressing a rally in Korba, Chhattisgarh, Modi said it has become a fashion for the “ naamdar ” to speak in derogatory terms.

“Is this the language to speak? We have to throw out such people. Abusive language is the norm. The Sahu community here would have been called Modi in Gujarat. Are they all thieves?” Modi said.

On naxalism

Targeting the Congress, Modi said naxal influence in the area where BJP MLA Bhima Mandavi was killed, had been considerably reduced. “Why did this happen now?” he said, referring to the naxal attack which claimed Mandavi’s life.

Mandavi and four security personnel were killed last Tuesday when their convoy was attacked by naxals in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district.

Modi claimed that the Congress was “hand-in-glove” with naxals.

“Perpetrators of violence and terror are dancing with joy after Congress manifesto assurances. Will you allow the Congress to compromise on national security?” he said.

“The Congress is encouraging naxals in Chhatisgarh,” Modi said. It can be seen in the Congress manifesto which calls for scrapping of sedition law, he said.

“ Congress ka haath vikas ke saath ya vinash ke saath (is Congress’ hand with development or destruction?),” he said.

Modi in Odisha

Prime Minister also held a rally at Sambalpur in western Odisha. He said his government has taken measures to weed out Congress-aided middlemen to ensure that the central funds percolate down to the poor.

He also announced a slew of measures for the welfare of farmers and fishermen, if the BJP was voted to power.

Mounting a blistering attack on the Congress, Modi accused it of being a silent spectator to the loot of public money, besides being embroiled in multiple controversies and scams before the BJP-led government put brakes on these corrupt practices.

“During the Congress era, only 15 paise of a rupee would reach the poor and the rest was swindled by unscrupulous elements. No one bothered to stop it. Now, we have ensured that central funds reach the poor,” Modi said, addressing a rally here in western Odisha.

“People have seen a helpless and corrupt government in the past, and rampant corruption charges in the form of sugar scams, ration scams and the urea scandal,” he said.

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