Modi questions Rahul’s intelligence,says ‘name those in touch with Pak ISI’

Addressing a well-attended BJP rally, Modi launched into Rahul by taking a dig at his recent attempts to strike an emotional chord with voters by recounting the assassination of his father and grandmother.

“I have not come here to wail before you. I have not come here either to shed tears or tell stories to get you to shed tears. I am here to take you into confidence,to wipe your tears,” Modi told the audience in Bundelkhand,the poorest region of Uttar Pradesh.

The underdevelopment of the region,he said,was due to a lack of political will in the governments in Delhi and Lucknow.

“The Congress reminds you about goodies and packages before elections,” Modi said referring to Rahul’s promise of a package for Bundelkhand around the time of the 2009 Lok Sabha polls. “That package was not for your welfare but was crumbs to silence the then leaders from UP. It was shared between Delhi and Lucknow.”

“The time for packages is over. The time has come to send the SP-BSP-Congress packing,” Modi said,dismissing Rahul’s grandstanding in Bundelkhand for delivering on his promise of a package for the backward region. Modi turned Rahul’s attempt to strike an emotional chord by recounting the assassination of his grandmother Indira Gandhi on its head to rebuff the Congress vice-president for accusing the BJP of fanning communal riots in Gujarat in 2002 and in Muzaffarnagar last month.

Referring to the anti-Sikh riots in the aftermath of Indira Gandhi’s assassination in 1984,Modi said Rahul’s utterances are “unpardonable” because they have added “insult to the injury” of Sikhs.

“I heard him speaking about the anger over the assassination of his grandmother. All Congressmen felt angry and isn’t it true that they burnt thousands of Sikhs? I want to ask shehzada whether he felt the same anger over the killing of thousands of Sikhs,” Modi said,referring to Rahul as a prince.

“It is like adding insult to injury when elections for Delhi are around the corner. The language of shehzada cannot be pardoned by anyone who has any belief in humanity considering thousands of Sikhs were murdered,” Modi said.

But the Gujarat Chief Minister did not say anything to counter Rahul’s references to the communal riots in his home state.

As for Rahul’s recent attempt to sympathise with the victims of communal riots in Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh by speaking about the alienation of its Muslims,Modi said Rahul’s claim that Pakistani spy agency ISI was approaching Muslim youth in the region was an insult to the community. He asked the Congress vice-president either to disclose the names of such youth or apologise.

“Shehzada’s claim that the ISI was in touch with Muslims is very serious. Shehzade,it is your government,how come ISI is spreading its wing there? Shehzada has levelled an allegation against the victims in relief camps that they are in touch with the ISI. Shehzada must make those names public before levelling allegations against the entire community. If there are no names,he should apologise,” Modi said.

He also questioned why intelligence agencies were briefing Rahul.

“Shehzada is only an MP. How come Indian intelligence agencies are sharing information with a person who is not sworn to secrecy? How come Indian intelligence agencies are sharing their report to provide inputs for election speeches?” Modi asked.

The BJP’s prime ministerial candidate also came down heavily on Rahul flaunting his commitment for the poor.

“He is poking fun at poverty. The way former maharajas take their next generations to the ruins of their palaces to tell the stories of their achievement,Shehzada visits the poor to personally witness the achievement of his ancestors,” Modi said. “He visits the huts of the poor to see the achievements of his father,grandmother and great grandfather. These huts of the poor are testimony to the achievements of his ancestors.”

“Shehzada is now coining slogans about full roti entitlement. In the last 60 years,Congress has only managed to promise a full roti…they will take another 100 years to fulfill that promise. Are we going to wait that long?” Modi asked,criticising Rahul’s bid to showcase the food security programme.

Although his speech was largely focused on Rahul,Modi also reminded people that besides the “arrogant Congress”,people must also get rid of the Samajwadi Party’s “nepotism” and the BSP’s “single leader” for their own good.

Modi also reminded the audience about his humble origin and asked voters to give him “60 months” to demonstrate his commitment.

“The BJP has declared a person like me who used to sell tea in rail compartments and was born in a poor and backward family as its PM candidate,” Modi said.

“Don’t think of me as PM,think of me as your ‘chowkidaar’ in Delhi who will not let any ‘panja’ loot the treasury of this country. Give me just 60 months,” Modi said.