Modi slams Rahul for ‘pretending’ to criticise Pitroda, says ‘it’s you who should be ashamed’. (File photo)
After Rahul Gandhi criticised Sam Pitroda for his comments on 1984 Sikh riots, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday slammed the Congress party chief for “pretending to scold” his own mentor. “‘Naamdaar’, you pretended to scold your mentor for what? Because he publicly said what had always been in Congress’ heart? It’s you who should be ashamed,” said Modi.
Earlier in the day, Gandhi had hit out at Pitroda saying the leader should be ashamed of himself and publicly seek apology from the country. “What Sam Pitroda said about 1984 (anti-Sikh riots) was totally wrong and he should seek an apology from the country. I am saying this publicly and I also said the same to him over the phone. Pitroda ji, what you had said was completely wrong and you should be ashamed of yourself. You should seek a public apology,” Gandhi said while addressing a rally in Punjab’s Khanna.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh accused the Congress of being responsible for lowering the political discourse, saying never before has the chief of any main opposition party hurled abuses like ‘Chowkidar chor hai’ at the prime minister. Singh also predicted that the BJP will get a majority on its own and that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) can well end up with a two-third majority. He claimed there is a “wave” in favour of the BJP in West Bengal and it could win 30 of the 42 seats at stake in the TMC-ruled state.
At a polling booth in Chhatarpur in South Delhi Sunday. The constituency saw 57.3% voter turnout. (Express photo by Neeraj Priyadarshi)
PM Modi slammed Rahul Gandhi for his remark that he has told him (Sam Pitroda) he should be ashamed (for comment on 1984 riots). "'Naamdaar', you pretended to scold your mentor for what? Because he publicly said what had always been in Congress' heart? It's you who should be ashamed," said Modi.
The Supreme Court Friday rejected a plea seeking a direction to the Election Commission (EC) to advance polling timing to 5.30 am from 7 am for seventh phase of the Lok Sabha election in view of searing heat and Ramzan.
Some regional parties are more keen to fight the Congress, rather than the BJP, said senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid, stressing they can't keep "abusing" the grand old party and expect its support after the election results.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh Monday accused Congress of being responsible for lowering the political disclosure, adding that never has the chief of main opposition party hurled abuses like 'Chowkidar chor hai' at the prime minister. In an interview to PTI, Singh said, "Never before has the prime minister been called names by a president of a national party. 'Chowkidar chor hai' slogan was given by Gandhi. This was wrong as prime minister is a prime minister after all."
Telangana Chief Minister and TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao met DMK chief MK Stalin at the latter's residence in Chennai.
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, while addressing rallies in Punjab, said that Sam Pitroda's remarks about 1984 riots were 'absolutely wrong' and that he should apologise publicly. "What Sam Pitroda said about 1984 is absolutely wrong and he should apologise to the nation for it. I told him this over the phone, I told him what he said was wrong, he should be ashamed and apologise publicly," Rahul said.
Priyanka Gandhi addresses rally in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh.
Narendra Nodi addresses public rally in Solan, Himachal Pradesh.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi addresses public meeting in Hoshiarpur, Punjab.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra & Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Kamal Nath offer prayers at Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain.
"Punjab being a green state, farmer's happiness is the most important. Today wherever Congress has formed the government, we have waved off loans of the farmers," Rahul Gandhi said.
Speaking about the Nyay scheme, Gandhi said, the poor will not be poor anymore. Every poor household will now be lifted above BPL"
Addressing a rally in Punjab's Luhdiana, Congress President Rahul Gandhi first clarified on Sam Pitroda's comment on 1984 riots. He said, " What Sam Pitroda said about 1984 is absolutely wrong and he should apologise to the nation for it. I told him this over the phone, I told him what he said was wrong, he should be ashamed and apologise publicly."
Taking a dig at Mamata Banerjee, Shah said, " If the Bengali language is to be re-established within Bengal, vote for BJP." He accused Banerjee of no development in the state. " There is no new factory in Bengal under Mamata Didi's rule. There are only bomb-making factories," he said.
While West Bengal government denied permission to Amit Shah's rally in Jadavpur, Shah addressed a rally in Joynagar. He challenged Mamata Banerjee to arrest him for saying Jai Sri Ram. " Mamata Didi says that no one can say Jai Sriram in Bengal. I am leaving this stage saying Jai Sriram and going to Kolkata from here. If Mamata Didi has the guts to arrest me, let her."
I am chanting Jai Shri Ram here today. If you have guts, Mamata didi, arrest me: Amit Shah in West Bengal
PM Modi in Ratlam: Targeting the Kamal Nath government in MP over its alleged failure to implement its loan waiver promise in the state, Modi likened people to God and said, "The Congress cheated God."
He said the Congress had a problem saying 'Bharat Mata ki Jai', but was happily abusing him. Modi also took a jibe at Congress veteran Digvijay Singh, who is contesting the Lok Sabha polls from Bhopal, for not casting his vote.
Meanwhile, in Punjab, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal hit out at Congress saying the government had promised smartphones in every household, jobs to youth but what have they done so far. He urged voters to vote against lies.
Attacking Congress, Modi said that 4 generations of Congress party ruled the country but none of them thought of the tribals in Madhya Pradesh. But during Atal Bihar Vajpayee's tenure, there happened a separate ministry for Tribal development.
" It's Atal ji's government that thought of tribal development. And his inspiration continues amongst us and we will ensure education, medicine and employment for tribals."
Referring to Sam Pitroda's " Hua to Hua" comment on 1984 riots, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a jibe at Congress while addressing a rally in Madhya Pradesh's Ratlam district. He said, " A Congress-inspired family uses the country's battleship for a picnic, and when questions arise, they respond uncharacteredly to the answer saying "Hua to hua".
Accusing the West Bengal government of not allowing its president Amit Shah's rally in Jadhavpur, the BJP said Monday the Election Commission has become a "mute spectator" to the Trinamool Congress's alleged undemocratic means to target the saffron party.
BJP media head and Rajya Sabha MP Anil Baluni said his party will hold protests and also move the EC.
Shah's rally was scheduled for Monday in Jadhavpur, which goes to the polls on May 19 in the last phase, but the permission for it was denied at the last minute by the state administration
Punjab AAP supporter gathers as AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal holds roadshow. (Source: AAP Twitter)
AAP National Convenor and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal arrived in Punjab. He will do a roadshow in khanauri, Sangrur in support of AAP MP Bhagwant Mann. (Source: AAP Twitter)