Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday mocked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, terming him a “royal magician” over his remark to eradicate poverty “with a single stroke” and said the country doesn’t take him seriously.
Addressing a rally at Pipariya town in Madhya Pradesh’s Hoshangabad Lok Sabha constituency, Modi also targeted the opposition INDIA bloc over one of its constituents being in favour of nuclear disarmament and said they cannot protect the country.
He also said the Congress always insulted Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, but the BJP government has honoured him.
“The Congress shehzada announced to eradicate poverty with a single stroke. It is laughable. Where was this royal magician missing for so many years? His grandmother (former PM Indira Gandhi) had given the slogan of ‘Garibi Hatao’ 50 years ago,” Modi said without naming Rahul Gandhi.
The country does not take him seriously, the PM said.
“They ran the government by remote control for 10 years before 2014. Now they have found a mantra instantly. They made such statements and have become a laughing stock. It is a joke on the poor,” he said.
Without naming any party, Modi said a constituent of the INDIA bloc has called for nuclear disarmament -- referring to the CPI(M) manifesto.
The party that cannot strengthen itself, can it strengthen the country? he asked.
“In the manifestoes of INDI alliance partners, a number of dangerous promises were made. One of its partner’s manifesto has promised nuclear disarmament of the country,” he said.
“We should have nuclear weapons to protect our country; those saying otherwise can’t protect India,” he said.
Modi further hit out at the Congress saying no sooner the son of a poor family became prime minister, the grand old party spread rumours that the Constitution and democracy were in danger.
“Modi has reached here due to the Constitution scripted by Babasaheb,” he said on the birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar.
“The Congress always insulted Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, we have honoured him,” the PM said.
He also said the Congress never recognised the contribution of adivasis (tribals), but the BJP government has honoured them.
Because of the Constitution given by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, a tribal woman became the President of India, the PM said, referring to Droupadi Murmu’s election to the country’s top constitutional post.