Elections 2019: Modi dares Cong to contest polls in Rajiv Gandhi's name, Rahul says only love for PM who insulted a martyr

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday challenged the Congress to fight the last two phases of polls in the name of Rajiv Gandhi, after opposition leaders condemned his "bhrashtachari no 1" remark about the former premier.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Photo: Getty Images

RANCHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday challenged the Congress to fight the last two phases of polls in the name of Rajiv Gandhi, after opposition leaders condemned his "bhrashtachari no 1" remark about the former premier. "Today I challenge Congress and 'namdar' family from this land to fight the coming Lok Sabha polls of Delhi, Punjab and Bhopal in the name of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi who faced corruption allegations over Boforos," Modi said while addressing a rally at Chaibasa in Jharkhand. "I spoke one word about Rajiv Gandhi, and it appeared to have stung like a scorpion to them," he said. Last week Modi at an election rally in Uttar Pradesh had commented about former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi "ending his life as bhrashtachari (corrupt) number one," triggering an uproar in political circles with Congress President Rahul Gandhi hitting back by saying "karma awaits" Modi. "They do not have respect for the post of Prime Minister. For the last one year, they have been abusing Prime Minister and his family. Their cry will expose them more. The current generation of youth will come to know how one family looted and damaged the country," said the Prime Minister.

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"Thousands of people died in Bhopal gas tragedy and what was done after the gas tragedy?," Modi asked, adding the Congress should fight Bhopal and Punjab polls for "his (Rajiv Gandhi's) honour". "Fight the election over Bofors allegations," said Modi. "Accept my challenge. Enough lies have been told by the Congress and the adulterated alliance," he said. "This country needs strong and stable government. The country does not need a family-run government. This country needs a clean government," he said. Meanwhile, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said on Monday that despite Modi insulting his father Rajiv Gandhi, he only had love for the prime minister. "Narendra Modi insulted a martyr (Rajiv Gandhi), no matter how much hatred he has for my family, I only have love for him," Gandhi said while addressing a public meeting at Delhi's Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha constituency. "Narendra Modi insulted a martyr (Rajiv Gandhi), no matter how much hatred he has for my family, I only have love for him," Gandhi said. (With inputs from IANS)