In yet another fresh salvo at the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleged the party to be anti-poor, adding that its leaders have always treated him with contempt because of his humble background.
Furthering his attack, PM Modi also said that he might have sold tea to earn a living, but never sold his nation.
“The Congress dislikes me because of my poor origin. Can a party stoop so low? Yes, a person belonging to a poor family has become the prime minister. They do not fail to hide their contempt for this fact. Yes, I sold tea but I did not sell the nation,” said PM Modi will addressing a rally in Gujarat’s Rajkot.
PM Modi’s remarks were in reply to Congress party’s recent tweet of a meme parodying his beginnings as a tea vendor. The image showed PM Modi, Us President Donald Trump and UK PM Theresa May, where the Indian leader is shown to commit the mistake of pronouncing the word ‘meme’ as ‘may-may’.
The tweet did not go down well and was roundly condemned by politicians and the plebiscite as a derogatory attack on the PM.
Addressing the rally, PM Modi said that in the last two months, Congress has resorted to hurling abuses and spreading lies about him.
He appealed the party to not mock the poor and insult the “son of Gujarat”.
“This son of Gujarat has no stains in his public life. You (opposition) dare to come to Gujarat and say things against the son of Gujarat? Will any Gujarati forgive people who make charges against the son of Gujarat? No Gujarati will endure this insult,” he said.
He further said that Congress “cannot think beyond one family”, adding that it has always insulted and sidelined Gujarat and its leaders.
“Congress has not just insulted Sardar Patel. Congress ignored Morarji Desai because he was from Gujarat. How many people remember Kamaraj or Debharbhai, who were presidents of Congress nationally. The party that does not go beyond one family, what do you expect from them?” said PM Modi.
He said that BJP’s aim has been development in the states, which it has been doing without any discrimination. “The solution to all problems is development. We have served Gujarat without any discrimination. Our belief is in the Mantra of 'Sauno Saath, Sauno Vikas'. We want to work even more for the people of Gujarat,” said PM Modi.
The Prime Minister also urged the people not to fall prey to the Congress party’s divisive politics and to vote for ‘vikas’.
“Pitting one caste against the other is Congress' tendency. Make sure that you do not let them destroy the composite culture of Gujarat,” he said.
The elections in Gujarat will be held in two phases on December 9 and 14. While, the counting of votes will be on December 18.
