Canvass in Rajiv Gandhi’s name, PM Modi dares Congress

Challenges partyto a debate on Bofors scandal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks at a rally. Photo: Twitter/@BJP4India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday threw a challenge at the Congress, asking it to contest the remaining phases of the Lok Sabha election in the name of Rajiv Gandhi, who he recently dubbed as “corrupt no. 1”.

At an election meeting in the Jharkhand town, he dared the Congress to a debate on the Bofors scandal and other issues.

“A few days ago, I called a member of the

naamdar parivar (dynasty)

bhrashtachari (corrupt) no. 1, and some people got such a severe stomach ache that they started crying aloud. The more they cry, the more will today’s generation come to know of the old truths,” he said.

“How a family looted the country in the 20th century, destroyed it — the youth of the country should know. I am challenging the Congress from this dais that when polling takes place in the remaining phases in Punjab, Delhi and Bhopal, let it fight the elections in the name of Rajiv Gandhi. I am hopeful that the Congress will accept this challenge.”

Congress president Rahul Gandhi has been daring Mr. Modi to a debate on the Rafale deal.

Responding to Modi’s comments that his father Rajiv Gandhi’s life ended as “Bhrashtachari No 1,”

Rahul Gandhi had on Sunday tweeted “Modi Ji, The battle is over. Your Karma awaits you. Projecting your inner beliefs about yourself onto my father won’t protect you. All my love and a huge hug”

Mr. Modi, without naming anyone, said, “A member of the naamdar parivar is abusing the Prime Minister for the last one year, without caring for the dignity (of the chair)... You do not have respect for the PM’s post.”

Claiming that the ‘Mahamilawati’ (the opposition alliance) have surrendered after four phases of polling and are floundering during the fifth phase on Monday, the PM said, “Let the Congress and its allies take the challenge to fight over Bofors issue in the remaining phases. Don’t run away, this is democracy. Where did the ex-PM take the country?”

‘Injustice to country’

Alleging that the Congress had done “injustice” to the country over the past 70 years, Mr. Modi said he cannot claim to have completely negated it in five years. “But I have cleaned it up to the maximum extent.”