In his interview that created a political storm and invited Election Commission’s wrath, Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi talked on a range of issues starting from the need to change the nature of political discourse to predicting a massive win for the Congress in Gujarat. While disapproving of language used by some of his party men to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rahul also questioned the PM’s barbs at him and ex-PM Manmohan Singh.
“Gujarat will this time throw a surprising result. It will be shocking for the BJP. They are scared. BJP workers who talk to our leaders say that the Congress effectively campaigned in Gujarat and their own campaign was not so effective. Even they feel they will not be able to defend their own record,” Rahul told a TV news channel.
In another TV interview, Rahul said Modi’s criticism had helped him grow “the most” and that “there is zero emotion of anger and hatred in me”. “How can I hate himIJ If you look at the religion and the history of this nation, love has to be the response to hatred,” he said, responding to Modi’s repeated attacks on the Nehru-Gandhi family.
However, he sought an apology from Modi for his attack on Singh for alleging that he (Singh) had conspired with Pakistanis to defeat the BJP in Gujarat. He said the language Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar used to attack Modi was unacceptable to him and the Congress, which acted promptly by suspending the former MP.
“I didn’t return Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s verbal barbs targeting against him and Manmohan Singh because he wanted to change the culture of personal attacks in political discourse,” he said.
“The youth had reposed their faith in Modiji. But the trust has been broken. He had promised to create two crore jobs every year. But he doesn’t speak about that now. And he doesn’t speak a word even about corruption. You may have noted that he didn’t utter a word when reports about (BJP President Amit Shah’s son) Jay Shah and (the French) Rafale deal came in. He doesn’t talk about development any more but about himself and the Congress.,” said Rahul.
When the Congress leader was asked if the BJP was perhaps “afraid of a new Rahul”, he denied it. “He’s (Modi’s) not afraid of me, he’s afraid of the people of Gujarat,” said Rahul, while also denying he’s had any “makeover” as some are suggesting.
“I haven’t had a makeover, people are finally able to see the real me. The truth about Rahul Gandhi has been distorted by money and BJP workers. Many people are employed to tarnish my image. It costs a lot of money (to do that),” said Rahul.
In his interview, Rahul also took a dig at the PM hiring a seaplane in Ahmedabad. “The BJP lacks a vision for Gujarat. That’s why the PM is not talking about issues...just roaming around here and there instead. No talk about farmers’ issues, nothing,” said Rahul.
When he was asked whether he feels anger or hatred towards Modi “who often insults his family members”, the Congress vice president said, “people may think I could hate him, but I just feel love”.