Taking on Union Minister of State for the Ministry of Power Jyotiraditya Scindia on his home turf, Bharatiya Janata Party prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi targeted him for his alleged arrogance as opposed to the perceived humility of his grandmother Vijayaraje Scindia — a founding member of the BJP.
“Where is Rajmata Saheb [imperial honorific of Late Vijayaraje Scindia] and where is your MP? Her position was due to the love of the people...The least said about him [Mr. Scindia], the better. I have never seen so much arrogance in anyone... He has got the Congress disease,” said Mr. Modi in Shivpuri on Saturday.
Shivpuri, represented by Mr. Scindia’s aunt and Madhya Pradesh Minister Yashodhara Raje, is an assembly segment of Guna held by the scion of the Gwalior royal family. His BJP rival, Jaibhan Pawaiya, has in his campaign focussed on opposing the feudalism of Mr. Scindia.
Mr. Modi claimed that Mr. Scindia did not attend an award function of his Ministry because Gujarat won all four awards. He also took pot-shots at Mr. Scindia, one of the key leaders of the Congress in Madhya Pradesh, for wearing a black arm band to protest against non-payment of insurance and compensation to farmers who have lost two crops in rain and hail.
“He [Mr. Pawaiya] will struggle for your problems and not do this black ribbon drama... Those who have committed dark deeds wear black ribbons,” Mr. Modi said.
In the presence of Ms. Yashodhara Raje, Mr. Modi asked for votes in the name of her mother Vijayaraje Scindia. “Rajmata cared for me, I will care for you. I will show you what development is. Vote for my candidate and I will be your representative,” said Mr. Modi.
Before Mr. Modi spoke, Mr. Pawaiya said that he would never bow before “terrorism and feudalism” and would never utter the word “Maharaja.” He added that the only Queen after Independence was Mother India.
