Riots, encounters: Cong keeps heat on Modi

'Modi a blot on the nation'

Senior central and state Congress leaders attacked Chief Minister Narendra Modi and raked up topics the party has so far refrained from mentioning, including 2002's post Godhra riots and "fake encounters", while calling Modi a "blot on the nation", "zindagi ka saudagar" (merchant of people's lives) and "Vinash Purush" (man of destruction) at a rally in Viramgam, about an hour's drive from Ahmedabad city, on Sunday.

"Narendra Modi is not a merchant of death but a merchant of people's lives. The 2002 riots in the state happened by the order of the state government, it was something that had never happened in the country. He is a blot on the nation and if blot is good, as an advertisement says (daag achche hain), then it should be given an award. Modi should get 'Hitler Award' on Republic Day," said Rajya Sabha MP from Goa Shantaram Naik while addressing a gathering.

Naik also said the ancestors of BJP, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, killed Mahatma Gandhi and "it's sad that this party is running governments". While saying that Gujarat is being ruled by businessmen not by Narendra Modi but "Narendra Adani". He also said people are saying that Modi will become the Prime Minister, if it happens it will bring shame to the nation.

Rajya Sabha MP and former member of Planning Commission Dr Bhalchandra Mungekar said "it's unfortunate that a person like Modi is Chief Minister of Gujarat, the land of Mahatma Gandhi".

Playing the minority card, he said Modi's claim of development is a farce as there can't be progress in the state or the country if minority, especially Muslims, are excluded. Modi hasn't done anything for the community.

"As a member of Planning Commission I have seen how arrogant Modi is. During the National Development Council meetings, I have seen him treating representatives of other states as farm labourers," said Mungekar.

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