The Asian Age

Modi, Rahul trade barbs at Haryana rallies

India is taking big decisions, which no one could think of earlier, says PM Modi

- AGE CORRESPOND­ENT

New Delhi: Launching the poll campaign for their parties in Haryana, PM Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday traded barbs at each other at Ballabhgar­h and Nuh rallies respective­ly. Mr Gandhi accused the PM of being a “loudspeake­r of Ambani and Adani” and warned that the economy will “further deteriorat­e” in the next six months. Mr Modi, meanwhile, asked the Opposition party to explain its “love” for Article 370 to the families of security personnel killed in

Jammu and Kashmir.

Launching Congress’s campaign in Haryana, party leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being a “loudspeake­r of rich business”.

Mr Modi, who launched his campaign in the poll bound state, accused the Opposition parties of “crumbling” and batting for the “strong team and a strong captain” of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

Accusing the Opposition parties of politicisi­ng the abrogation of Article 370, the Prime Minister challenged them to campaign for reversing the Centre’s decision against the contentiou­s Article.

Addressing an election rally in Nuh, Mr Gandhi said, “Narendra Modi is the loudspeake­r of rich business as he only talks about them all day. Modi and Khattar are taking away your money and giving it to their 15 rich friends.”

Hitting back at the Opposition, Mr Modi, who addressed a rally in

Ballabhgar­h later, said that the Opposition parties in the state were crumbling and their attempts to come together are falling apart, while the BJP had a “strong team and a strong captain” in Mr Khattar.

Accusing the Prime Minister of waiving `5.50 lakh crore of 15 rich businessme­n, Mr Gandhi alleged that the media did not highlight the real issues. “There is so much unemployme­nt and they talk of Bollywood, the moon. They will show the worshippin­g of the Rafale (fighter jet) but will not talk about the theft in it .... There is shooting in Jim Corbett (National Park) but Modi will not say anything about what farmers want,” he said, training his guns on the media.

Attacking the Opposition Mr Modi said, “India is taking big decisions, which no one could think of earlier. Which decision am I talking about? This decision is of Article 370. J&K and Ladakh are moving on path of developmen­t and credit for this does not go to Modi, but it goes to 130 crore people of this country. I derive strength from you, you gave us big mandate,” He also accused the opposition parties of politicisi­ng the issue of Article 370. “I challenge them that if Article 370 is so dear to you, you go among the people and tell them that you will reverse the Centre’’s decision,” he added.

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 ??  ?? Narendra Modi
Narendra Modi
 ??  ?? Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi

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