In a stark reminder to the ‘Maut Ka Saudagar’ remarks against Narendra Modi by the then party chief Sonia Gandhi in 2007, a massive row erupted in poll bound Gujarat on Tuesday after the newly elected Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge compared the Prime Minister with ‘Ravana’ during a rally. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel lost no time in claiming the remark reflects the opposition party's hatred for Gujaratis.

Elections for the 182-member Assembly in the BJP-ruled Gujarat are scheduled to be held in two phases on December 1 and 5.

Addressing people in Behrampura area under the Congress-held Danilimda seat on Monday night, Kharge said in every election, votes are sought in the name of Modi instead of local candidates or the performance of government.

"Modi asks people to ignore everything and vote (for BJP) by keeping his face in front of the eyes. I wonder on how many occasions we have to see your face? People have to see your face during municipal corporation polls, then in the Assembly polls and also during polls to elect MPs," he said.

"Everywhere you want us to see your face. Why? How many faces do you have? Are you 100-headed like Ravan? I don't understand this," the Congress president said. He further said instead of doing his work as India's PM, Modi canvasses for various elections, be it local bodies or Assembly polls.

"The BJP believes in telling lies only. I recently said Modi is 'badshah' of telling lies, because he keeps on telling lies. What happened to two crore jobs every year? He used to say he will give Rs 15 lakh to each citizen after bringing black money from abroad," Kharge said.

Taking a strong exception to the remarks, CM Patel in a tweet said, "Bereft of any development agenda and support from the people, the Congress is out to abuse Gujarat and Gujaratis."  The statement made by Kharge ji against PM Narendra Modiji is a testimony to their hate for Gujaratis. The people of Gujarat will reject them this time too for such behaviour," Patel added.