In a veiled attack on Priyanka Gandhi’s statement about the Opposition humiliating her husband Robert Vadra, (BJP)’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi lashed out at the ‘first family’ of the Congress, saying those who can’t face criticism in public life should not talk about democracy.

“In the past 14 years of my tenure (as Gujarat CM) everyday I faced mud-slinging on me, people hurled false allegations, spread hatred against me.

“But when we are on the side of truth there is no distraction,” said Modi, addressing a rally at Kalol in Gandhinagar constituency, kicking off his Gujarat campaign.

Referring to the recent controversy surrounding Vadra over alleged corruption in land deals, Modi said: “Recently, when a family faced small allegations, they got upset.

“They caught a high fever. Those who can’t face criticism in public life should not speak about democracy.”

In a recent rally at Rae Bareli, Priyanka had said: “My family is being humiliated, there are things that are said about my husband. The more they humiliate us, the stronger we become.”

Responding to this, Modi told a gathering of about 10,000 at a school compound here that the Congress had strengthened itself by looting the country for 60 years. “The issue is not to strengthen you, but to strengthen the country. That is the basic difference between you and us,” he said.

Corruption charge

Without naming Sonia Gandhi and son Rahul, Modi appealed to the crowd to uncrown the maa-bete kisarkar. “Do you believe that the country was looted in this maa-bete ki sarkar ? Has the corruption become rampant or not? Then give them an answer.” Modi’s attack on the Gandhi family comes ahead of Sonia’s rally in the region on Thursday.

She will address a public gathering at Kheralu in Mehsana district about 100 km from here.

Modi made a brief mention of his mentor and veteran BJP leader LK Advani, who is also the party’s candidate from this seat.

“He (Advani) is an asset to us. I am indebted to him for his protection during my critical times. I would appeal to you to vote for him and make him win with a record margin.”

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