Modi launches another attack on Cong in Guj
AHMEDABAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday resumed his extensive election campaign for the Bharatiya Janata Party on his third and last day in poll-bound Gujarat as he addressed massive public gatherings in Surendranagar, Bharuch and Navsari city.
Canvassing for his party in Jambusar town in tribal-dominated Bharuch district, the PM took a swipe at the opposition Congress, saying its leaders remained oblivious to the needs of tribals for a very long time. He added that Congress leaders mocked him for wearing traditional tribal attire at public functions.
“For a very long time, Congress leaders remained unaware of the existence of tribals in India. Weren’t they living here since the days of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna?.. Weren’t they part of the 1857 mutiny? Tribals did so many things for this country. But, Congress leaders never knew that Adivasis exist.” “Otherwise, why was there no separate ministry for tribals until Atal Bihari Vajpayee became prime minister? It was Ataljee’s government at the Centre which carved out a separate ministry and allocated a budget for their welfare. Even today, Congress leaders make fun of me for wearing tribal attire,” Modi said while addressing a poll rally.
The PM, who is campaigning in his home state since November 19, said Adivasis cannot expect Congress will improve their condition because leaders of Congress mock tribal outfits and insult tribals at regular intervals.
“While past Congress candidates left tribals to fend for themselves in Gujarat, it was BJP, after coming to power, resolved their issues such as education, health, malnutrition and employment among others,” he added.
Modi’s remarks came even as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was addressing a gathering of tribals at Mahuva in Surat district.
Tribals are the “first owners” of the country, Rahul Gandhi said, but the BJP was trying to take away their rights. A day earlier, Gandhi had accused the Narendra Modi-government of weakening the laws framed by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) to empower tribals and said his party will strengthen them further after coming to power again.
Earlier in the day, the PM also took a dig at the Congress leader’s ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra, saying those who have been thrown out of power are taking out foot march to get back to power.
Addressing a gathering in
Surendranagar town, Modi also said instead of talking about development during elections, the opposition Congress is saying it will show him his “aukat” (status).
“Now, the Congress does not talk about development during elections. Instead, Congress leaders are saying they will show Modi his aukat. Just look at their arrogance. They, indeed, belong to a royal family, while I am merely a servant having no aukat,” he said.
“In the past, the Congress had used words like ‘neech aadmi’,