lok-sabha-elections

Updated: May 13, 2019 23:09 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra both campaigned in the Madhya Pradesh town of Ratlam on Monday, attacking each other’s parties ahead of the final phase of voting in the general elections on May 19.

Modi sought to dismiss “claims by pundits and planted reports from Delhi” that there is no “Modi wave” in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections like in 2014 polls. “The (Modi) wave is coming out from each home,” he told the audience in Ratlam.

“They (pundits) are not aware that there are two (types of) people who are creating records: my young friends who are voting for the first time and my mothers and sisters, who have made up their mind to elect their brother who ensured death penalty to rapists,” Modi said.

Modi reiterated his claim that former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi used the warship INS Viraat for a “picnic”. “On the other hand is the Naamdar’s family, who used a warship for picnic. When questions are raised about it, they shamelessly say ‘hua to hua’,” Modi said, in a reference to a controversial comment by Congress leader Sam Pitroda on the 1984 riots.

Hours later, Priyanka Gandhi held a rally in the town and alleged Modi was anti-tribal and suppressing their rights. This was her first visit to Madhya Pradesh during the elections. The Ratlam Lok Sabha seat, reserved for scheduled tribes, consists of the tribal-dominated districts of Alirajpur and Jhabua along with Ratlam district.

Recalling the affection that her grandmother and former prime minister Indira Gandhi had for tribespeople, she said, “When we were children she used to bring small toys made by tribals and tell us how you live and preserve the forests, animals and land. She used to say that the tribals were the most forward when it came to protecting the environment”. “I have learnt from her (Indira Gandhi), I am her granddaughter, and I will safeguard you.”

Before addressing the public meeting at Ratlam, Priyanka Gandhi offered prayers at the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain. Later, she also held a road show in the city in support of party candidate Babulal Malviya.