Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP's prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi addresses an election rally in New Delhi
today tore into the Congress leadership and the UPA government as he is wont to do, but his sharpest words were reserved for the Prime Minister.
"I wonder if he will meet the Pakistan PM confidently today...I wonder if the PM will be able to ask him when Pakistan will stop aiding terrorism...I wonder if the PM will be able to question Nawaz Sharif on the Indian soldiers who are brutally killed," Mr Modi, who was recently named the BJP's prime ministerial candidate, said at a massive rally in election-bound Delhi today. (
Highlights from Narendra Modi's Delhi rally)
Hours after Mr Modi's speech, the Prime Minister met Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in New York today. The BJP has opposed the meeting. (
Read: BJP regrets PM-Sharif meet despite continued terrorism)
Mr Modi also made a scathing attack on Congress number 2 Rahul Gandhi, who he said had undermined the authority of the Prime Minister, referring to the latter's criticism of an ordinance to protect convicted lawmakers that the government has pushed.
"The pride of the Prime Minister has been brought down by his own party. The Congress' Vice President has committed the sin of disrespecting the Prime Minister," Mr Modi said. (
Read)
He asked the people to decide if the nation would be run based on the Constitution or then the whims of the "shahzada" or prince, referring to Mr Gandhi.
He also asked the people to bring the "dream team" of the BJP to power in 2014, not "this dirty team," accusing the Congress-led UPA of being "deeply entrenched in corruption." (
10 quotes from Narendra Modi's Delhi rally)
The BJP pulled out all stops to make the Modi show today a huge affair. On the massive stage, 80 feet by 40 feet, Mr Modi in a white
kurta pyjama, was flanked by leaders like Nitin Gadkari and Delhi BJP chief Vijay Goel.
The party had invited envoys of about 80 countries in an effort to project what the party says is the Gujarat Chief Minister's global appeal and acceptability, after years of being boycotted by many countries over the 2002 communal riots in his state. About 15 of them attended.
The BJP has its hopes pinned on the Narendra Modi factor to tilt the November elections in Delhi its favour. It is widely seen as tied in a neck and neck race with the Congress in the national capital this time. The party was trounced by the Congress's Sheila Dikshit in the last three elections in Delhi.
Narendra Modi mocked Mrs Dikshit, saying the Delhi Chief Minister was an expert in "cutting ribbons" and passing the buck. (
Read: Narendra Modi says Sheila Dikshit has no work)
About 100 giant LED screens were installed all over Delhi to broadcast Mr Modi's speech live.