In a veiled attack on Priyanka Gandhi’s statement about humiliation to her husband by the opposition, Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP)’s Prime Ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi lashed out at the ‘first family’ of the Congress party saying that those who can’t face criticism in public life, should not talk about democracy.
“In past 14 years of my tenure 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. Modi began his Gujarat campaigning from Wednesday.
Referring to the recent controversy surrounding Robert Vadra about 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 Raebareli, 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 the gathering of about 10,000 at a school compound in Kalol that they (Congress) had strengthened themselves 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.
Without naming Sonia Gandhi and son Rahul, Modi lashed out at them appealing the crowd to uncrown the ‘Maa-bete ki sarkar’, “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 a day ahead of Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s rally in the region on Thursday. She will address a public gathering at Kheralu in Mehsana district about 100 km from here.
Speaking from the town in Gandhinagar constituency, Modi made brief mention of his mentor and veteran BJP leader L K Advani, who is also the party 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 record number.”