Rahul Gandhi Attacks PM Narendra Modi, Says he Eats Imported Pulses

Patna: Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the high prices of pulses in the country, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi today said he (Modi) was consuming imported pulses while the poor were avoiding these due to the high cost.

"The soaring prices of pulses have forced people not to consume their favourite 'dal' but Modi is eating imported pulses (videshi dal). How can poor people purchase pulses selling for Rs 200 per kg? It is beyond their reach," he said while addressing the first of the two election rallies at Areraj in East Champaran district of Bihar.

Mr Gandhi sought to remind people that the prime minister had promised an immediate drop in the prices of essential commodities.

"When dal was selling at Rs 70 per kg, he attacked us saying it was very expensive, but now it is Rs 200 per kg and he is conveniently keeping quiet. When he raised the slogan of 'na khaaonga na khaane doonga', I had no idea he was talking about dal," the Congress leader said.

Taking another jibe at the prime minister, Mr Gandhi said the BJP's "much-hyped Make in India's 'babbar sher'(lion)" failed to provide jobs to anyone in the country. When he asked the youth among his audience if they had got jobs, they responded with a loud no.

Similarly, the Congress leader said, "Modi promised to bring back black money from abroad, but did not fulfil his promise? Did anyone of you get any money in your bank accounts as assured by him (Modi)," Mr Gandhi asked his audience.

Taking a swipe at Mr Modi, he said, "I know this is RSS training but I request you to stop telling lies and start working."

Mr Gandhi also questioned Mr Modi's foreign trips, saying how could he tackle national issues and problems when he was flying to other countries most of the time.

"The prime minister wears bright suits and travels across the world, but has no time to meet poor farmers and Dalits in the country," Mr Gandhi said.

The Congress vice president accused the BJP of making Indians fight each other. "I went to Dadri; they make Hindus and Muslims fight. They did it in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir."

He said he visited a Haryana village after two Dalit children were burnt alive even as the BJP chief minister was yet to visit the bereaved family.

"Then their (union) minister makes a statement about dogs. The BJP will not be seen after this election. There will be no 'suit-boot ki sarkar' (government of the suited-booted). There will not be a government that equates Dalits with dogs," Mr Gandhi said.