On the eve of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to the state, CM Narendra Modi trained his guns again on Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, accusing her of “inciting the people” against his government.
“In 2007, she (Gandhi) had called me ‘Maut Ka Saudagar’ and the people of Gujarat
took revenge by rejecting the Congress. This time, Madam Sonia said I am a dhaukhebaaz (cheater),” he said, referring to Gandhi’s Friday’s speech in the state.
But hinting that her comments were a slur on the people of Gujarat, Modi said, “Can any Gujarati tolerate it when Madam Soniaben says I have cheated the people? If this is so, what prevents the UPA government from filing a case against Modi?”
Modi’s attack on Gandhi —made while addressing eight rallies across the state — was in keeping with his overall campaign plan. He has consistently targeted Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, Rahul Gandhi and senior Congress leaders and central ministers.
But besides Modi, all leaders have sharpened their allegations as the first phase of voting gets closer.
On Saturday, senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley, too, lambasted the UPA government.
“On Friday, Sonia Gandhi asked what we have done for the Gujarat farmers. But it is actually the UPA which has been their bane,” he said at a rally in Navsari district.