Modi targets Rahul, says he visits poor for 'photo-ops'

Ahmedabad/New Delhi, Aug 15 (PTI) In a veiled attack on
Rahul Gandhi, western Indian state Gujarat Chief Minister
Narendra Modi Monday said there are people in the country who
visit homes of the poor for "photo-ops".
The Congress rebuffed Modi saying the comments showed
how he and the Bhartiya Janta Party(BJP) were "highly
frustrated" at the mass appeal of the party's youth icon and
that the Chief Minister should first set his house in order.
"We understand Modi's and BJP's trepidation when a youth
icon of Congress gets support like this. I understand their
frustration when they find there is nobody to give leadership
to the youths in BJP and the masses, like we have Rahul in
Congress," Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi told
reporters in New Delhi.
Modi, who once likened Rahul to a "small aquarium fish"
said, "in this country, even today, there exist people who
feel happy to have a photo-op with the poor.
They feel proud to get their pictures clicked with
children of poor in their hands," Modi said.
Modi made these remarks during his Independence Day
address at Nadiad in Kheda, about 55 km from Ahmedabad.
He also held Congress responsible for poverty in the
country "despite its over 50 years of rule."
"They should die of shame as even after over 50 years
of their rule in the country, so many people are living below
the poverty line. These are monuments of your rule. This is
your shame. They are even ready to capitalise on this," Modi
said, slamming the Congress without naming any of its leaders.
Modi also attacked the Union government for allegedly
using constitutional bodies to insult Gujarat.
Responding to this, Singhvi said it was Modi who was
"demeaning" constitutional authorities. Modi was also
allegedly victimising fearless individuals for speaking
against him, he said.
"It is Modi, who devalued the Election Commission.
Police officers in Gujarat who spoke against him are being
browbeaten. Let them not preach. They should set their house
in order first," he said.

Union I and B Minister Ambika Soni said she did not
want to comment on the "extra curricular activities" of Modi.
In his Independence Day address, Modi also took a dig
at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his comments on the
country's agricultural growth.
"PM has expressed concern about the agriculture growth
in the country from the Red Fort today. His concern is
reasonable," Modi said.
The growth in agriculture has been stagnant at 2-2.5
per cent since many years, he added.
"Despite good rains, the entire country, its villages,
farmers and poor people are still struggling with life," Modi
said, criticising the policies of the United Progressive
Alliance(UPA) government with regard to poverty and
agricultural growth.
Sunday, Modi had accused the Centre of adopting
double standards with regard to its fight against corruption
and that led by social activist Anna Hazare.
"Look at the double standards of Delhi's Congress
government, open your eyes to the larger conspiracy!" he had
said on micro-blogging networking site Twitter.
"PM tells Anna (Hazare) to go to police for any
complaint...Disciplined behaviour is expected from Anna while
to the officers of Gujarat police, who are indulging in
indiscipline, the message of the Congress government is 'do
not worry we will protect you'," Modi had tweeted.