Narendra Modi takes swipe at PM, Shashi Tharoor

Making a scathing attack on the Congress, Gujarat CM and firebrand BJP leader Narendra Modi on Monday accused the party of institutionalising corruption. HT reports.Modi calls PM 'Mounmohan'

Making a scathing attack on the Congress, Gujarat chief minister and firebrand BJP leader Narendra Modi on Monday accused the party of institutionalising corruption.

"Instead of taking action against corrupt leaders, the Congress is rewarding them," Modi said during election rallies at Una, Mandi and Kangra ahead of the November 4 assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh.

Taking potshots at union external affairs minister Salman Khurshid, Modi accused him of appropriating money meant for the handicapped through his non-governmental organisation.

Modi stated that despite protests against Khurshid outside Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's residence, the latter had not even bothered to question the minister or seek an explanation.

Instead, Khurshid was rewarded with a promotion in the cabinet, the Gujarat CM said.

Taking a dig at former union minister Virbhadra Singh, Modi said the person who was asked to resign from the cabinet - after the framing of charges in a criminal case by the Himachal high court - had been made the state Congress chief within a week.

Narendra Modi is presented with a mace by Himachal Pradesh BJP leaders during an election rally at Sundernagar in Mandi. PTI