Narendra Modi mimics Rahul Gandhi at a rally in Chhattisgarh
Narendra Modi, who habitually targets Rahul Gandhi as 'Shehzada' or prince at his election rallies, today mimicked the Congress Vice President in Chhattisgarh.
Playing to the crowd at a rally in Raigarh, Mr Modi paused dramatically after a sarcastic reference to 'Shehzada', and pretended to roll up both his sleeves in an exaggerated manner. The BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate was rewarded with laughter for his efforts.
Mr Modi tore into the Congress number 2, mocking his comments on systemic problems that prevented the development of backward regions.
"The shehzada says we have to change the system. Who put these systems in place for last 60 years? Who made them, Shehzade? Your father, your grandmother, your grandfather put these systems in place and then destroyed them for vested interests," Mr Modi said.
The 63-year-old politician, whose party BJP is hoping to win a third term in the state polls being held in two phases, said his political rival was so preoccupied with monitoring him that it has no time or attention to expend on running the country.
At another rally in Mahasamund, Mr Modi repeated his reference to Rahul Gandhi's "mama" or maternal uncle, which is being seen as an attempt to remind voters of the Italian origin of Mr Gandhi's mother, Sonia, who heads the Congress party.
"Ask the Shehzada, did he get the Rs 10,000 crores that this state got, from his 'mama's' house?" he said, bringing up Mr Gandhi's comment that the central funds received by the state had been wasted by the BJP government.
Earlier this week, the Election Commission served notice to Mr Modi for his denouncement of the Congress's symbol, the hand, as a "khooni panja" or "bloody claw."
Mr Gandhi was also reprimanded for his speeches in which he accused the BJP of inciting communal riots across the country.