LIVE: Gandhi family is 'arrogant' and 'power drunk', says Modi in Amethi

Amethi, May 5: BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi Monday tore into the Gandhi family, accusing them of not only being "arrogant" and "power drunk" but also of ignoring the welfare and interests of the poor.Addressing a massive gathering at Gauriganj town in Amethi Lok Sabha constituency, from where Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi is the incumbent member, Modi sought votes for BJP candidate Smriti Irani, saying the time has come to throw out dynastic politics and espouse the cause of development.Challenging Gandhi to a debate with Irani, the Bharatiya Janata Party leader said if the media wants to test the competence of both the candidates, they should ask them the names of villages in the constituency.He said if Irani - who he called his younger sister - names 100 villages, the Congress leader would not know about more than 10.Modi said he has not sent Irani to Amethi to increase the tension of Rahul Gandhi but to end the tension of the people."I do not believe in 'badla' (revenge), but in the politics of 'badlaav' (change)," he said.The Gujarat chief minister said Congress leaders scoff at him on what would be his future if he lost the polls."Congress leaders say that Rahulji in case of loss will be leader of opposition, but what happens to Modi? I can assure them that in such a scenario my tea-selling vend is ready," he said to loud applause.Asking the people of the Gandhi pocketborough to seek a report card from Rahul Gandhi of the work he had done in the last 10 years, he said that in 2019, he will come and deliver Irani's report card.Modi said that in 60 months, things will change for the better in Amethi and assured the people that international universities would be set up there.Slamming Congress leaders for ridiculing the Gujarat model of development, Modi said the party should instead tell people what was the model followed in Amethi, where good roads, uninterrupted power supply and jobs were elusive.Recounting how his government had checked the school dropout rate of girls by building over 76,000 toilets in schools, Modi said he was pained to see the situation in one of the most hyped constituencies in Uttar Pradesh."Three generations have gone by hoping and dreaming. I do not want the young generation to throw away their's by the hollow promises sold by the Gandhi clan," he said, as youngsters clapped and whistled.Slamming Congress president Sonia Gandhi's comment that he practised "politics of anger", Modi said Rajiv Gandhi, then as Congress general secretary, had humiliated a party chief minister in Andhra Pradesh.He said Sitaram Kesri was thrown out of the Congress on the wishes of Sonia Gandhi and even the mortal remains of former prime minister P.V. Narasimha Rao were not allowed to be kept at the Akbar Road office of the party because she had wanted it that way."This trend of anger has been continued by Rahul Gandhi who humiliated the prime minister by terming as 'nonsense' an ordinance passed by the cabinet," he said.Modi also took an indirect jibe at Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on how she had responded to a reporter's question on Smriti Irani by asking who was she.Stating that such "arrogance" has no place in democracy, Modi urged the people to end dynastic politics and instead vote for development. Amethi goes to the polls May 7.Earlier speaking in Ambedkarnagar, Narendra Modi accused Sonia Gandhi of feeling embarrassed when asking people for their votes. He sarcastically remarked that he did ask for votes but didn't loot people.Modi once again played emotional card by saying that he was son of a ‘poor mother' and that's why he had no other option but to ask people to fulfill his needs. Responding to Sonia Gandhi's jibes that he already considered himself as Prime Minister, Modi said “aap ke muh mein ghee-shakkar”.Coming down heavily on the UPA government for not taking care of the interests of farmers, Modi reiterated BJP's formula for fixing MSP(Minimum Support Price).According to this formula, farmers would be given 50 percent profit on their investment.He lashed out at the trio of SP, BSP and Congress for wrestling in Lucknow and feasting together in Delhi.Narendra Modi said that once his party would come to power, he would deal with all the candidates who have corruption charges against them.Irrespective of the party they belonged to, he would ensure that criminals don't get to sit in the parliament.In Faizabad, Modi attempted to invoke Lord Ram to appease voters. BJP had used the poster of Ram in the background of the stage where Modi addressed a massive crowd. Recalling Mahatma Gandhi, Modi said Gandhi had reflected on need of a kingdom that was identical to the one that existed during the reign of Lord Ram. During his speech he made several references to Lord Ram.People of Faizabad were spontaneous in responding with chants of ‘Jai Sri Ram'.He accused SP, BSP and Congress for shielding each other from CBI. He said that in Lord Ram's kingdom, one could die but not break their promise.But Congress had deluded people. It had promised employment to 10 crore people in its 2009 manifesto but had failed to fulfill it.Modi said that when his government would come to power in Delhi he would eradicate corruption.He said that he is assuring from the ‘land of Lord Ram' that he would always fight corruption.The BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is scheduled to address five rallies Uttar Pradesh today including Amethi, the Congress vice-president's constituency in Uttar Pradesh.He will address rallies at Ambedkar Nagar, Faizabad, Amethi, Kaushambi and Jaunpur.In doing so, Modi will break the convention of top political leaders refraining from campaigning in constituencies represented by their main opponents.Amethi votes on May 7, the penultimate phase of the nine-phase general election. Modi has chosen the last day of campaigning to hit the constituency, a Gandhi seat for decades. Here are the live updates of Narendra Modi's rally:Modi's rally in Amethi:5:34 pm: Modi ends his speech by raising slogan – Bharat Mata ki jai.5:32 pm: It is your responsibility. First vote then have your breakfast. You will handle mother- son. It's not about elections it's about a tea seller's son and a poor man's life. Lotus will be on your lips, and hands. But on the 7th I want it to be to your fingers. Our only mantra is development. 5:30 pm: Modi: I am leaving my younger sister to you. My sister will take more care of you than your own sister has. You have given 60 years to dictators, give me 60 months. Give me an opportunity. I haven't come to loot but to ask. 5:28 pm: Modi: Congress people say if Modi loses then what will he do? I have my tea making equipment ready. What are they doing? I have come here to talk of my achievement. I have been made CM four times. Yet mother who is over 90 years of age went to cast vote on an auto rickshaw. Who says that you need to do corruption in politics? I don't practice corruption nor will I let anyone. 5:25 pm: Modi: Did they answer questions on poverty, price hike, unemployment? Mark my words – in 2019 I will come here myself and give account to Amethi. This congress party in their dokha patra (Manifesto) had said – 10 crore people will get employed. Did you get? Media people write it! Show it to the world. Did anyone in your family get employment? Did they betray you or not? Will you desert them? It pains me. I will not allow anyone to loot this nation. 5:19 pm: Modi: Rahulji said that Modi does politics of anger. I have heard many people say that he walks in the footsteps of his father Rajiv Gandhi.You say Rahul bhaiya walks in the steps of Rajiv Gandhi- when Rajiv Gandhi was younger to Rahul and Indira Gandhi he had gone to Andhra Pradesh. The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh had come to receive him. That man was double his age. He humiliated him and made him cry. That great man (Rajiv) displayed anger. Secondly – Madam Soniaji had said that she didn't want to join politics. Then she thought of the family. There was Sitaram Yechury, A very senior person and Congress Party President. He was thrown out of his office at night by Soniaji due to her foul anger. He had to vacate seat for her. I am talking about the anger of your mother Rahul bhaiya. Bahadur Shah had fought against British. When he died then they didn't provide him burial ground. Congress PM Narsimha Rao, when he died, Sonia again displayed her anger. She didn't give him burial ground in Delhi. Congress workers wanted to take his body to Congress headquarters. She didn't allow. Rahul you are the third generation. You had angrily said nonsense to the ordinance made by the Prime Minister of your own party. Now tell, who humiliated the Prime Minister? Tell me can this work? 5:16 pm: Modi: If I want something done there they will do it. If my party comes to power in the Centre then they will do whatever I tell them to do. They are lying. I have faith that despite father son government in UP even the DM of this place will work if I tell them too. They fool the nation. No one in this nation has the guts to ask questions to them. I challenge them that if they have written for development of Amethi and work were not done. Shouldn't the public be informed of it? Is that how you run the nation? 5:14 pm: Modi: When questioned about the roads in Amethi they said that is state government's lookout. They (SP) supported you to that extent that they didn't make a candidate stand from Amethi. 5:12 pm: Modi: I challenge the Election Commission to have a fair election in Amethi. I'm surprised at this family. You (Media) have betrayed the people of Amethi. You only focus on one face when that person speaks. You don't show the public. Everyone gets the impression that things are good in Amethi. When someone would to say what about electricity and road then you close your camera. In the next elections ask me about my sister's work. I'll come here to answer 5:10 pm: Modi: I can understand the anger of mother- son. They have plundered the poor. They had never thought that a poor mother's son will attack them. A tea seller is challenging them!!!? Is it a crime to sell tea? Is it a crime to struggle and study…? They are criminalizing me for being poor. Now children from the village are going to come up. ‘Ache din aane waale hain' (good days are going to come). Till when you will suppress the poor. The market of Amethi will expand. The people of Amethi have given you 40 years blindly. Now they have awoken 5:07 pm: Modi: ‘Madam Sonia' said that results have not yet been declared and he is calling himself Prime Minister. I can understand the plight of the mother. She is trying to get her son settled. I understand the sacrifice of the mother. Your 10 years of hard work is going in vain.But when you yourself are calling me Prime Minister, what can I say? I'll just say - 'apke muh mein ghee shakkar. 5:03 pm: Modi: What have they done? Brothers and sisters, I have only attacked development and not anything else. When Smriti Irani was reading out her manifesto, she was only talking about Amethi. Some journalists were grumbling. They were not interested. Don't mind (to the Media). But Smriti Irani was adamant on the development of Amethi… they didn't like…don't mind…Earlier Soniaji would not take my name. But now when the entire nation is chanting my name she has also started taking it. ‘Soniaji' said that he is ‘asking for votes'…I had said then “yeh dil mange more”…Even today I've come to ask. Public is the avatar of god.Seeking favor from the public is my privilege. You royal people have left us with no option but to ask. But we ask not loot. You tell me who is better – askers or looters? Crowd: askers!!!5:00 pm: Modi: In 40 years, three generations have been destroyed. I have come to shower dreams on the youth. Look at the pride in Congress ministers. One of them says – who is Smriti Irani? In democracy you can't talk like that. Even the smallest of smallest person is important because you are the son/daughter of mother India. I will tell you who Smriti Irani is! She is my younger sister. You have destroyed this place she has come to build it. She has come to wash away your sins. 4:58 pm: Modi:You have selected Prime Ministers for the nation but your schools don't even have washrooms for girls. Are you all asking me for Mercedes? You are asking for water, electricity and roads. You (Congress) can at least provide washrooms? I am not here to criticize anyone. At least you can vent out your anger on me. I always like to help people. Probably that's how I'll be helping you. I just want to make your afflictions mine. I have come to share your burden.4:56 pm: Modi: According to a survey, the literacy rate of girls was very low in Gujarat. I became so restless after hearing that. I went to the villages in Gujarat and held hands of girls to take them to school. Then I tried to find out the reason why they weren't going to school. I was told that they drop out after the 3rd standard. When I further investigated I discovered that since there were no washrooms for girls in schools, they quit education. I then ensured that all the schools have proper toilets for girls. 4:52 pm: Modi: I have not come here for revengeful politics. I have come for development. And my younger sister will be able to accomplish my dreams. I sent her here one month back. Then she didn't know about Amethi. But now – I'm addressing the media - make my sister Smriti stand in one place and the Gandhi family in on one side. Just ask them one question –name the villages in Amethi. I can challenge you that my sister will answer more than hundred but I doubt that any of the Gandhi family members would have answers.I have to build the nation. But my first priority is Amethi. Someone told me that I teach ABCD. I want to tell those people that I will start ‘A' from Amethi. Those people are holding nukkad sabhas to appease voters. They are after Modi. 4:48 pm: Modi: When those people thought that we were bringing in Smriti Irani, they presumed that we were bringing a famous TV soap star who would at the most create some amount of trouble for Rahul. But it wouldn't make much of a difference. But our real agenda behind sending Smriti Irani here was not to increase problems for Rahul but to decrease the problems in Amethi. Smritiji is a Rajya Sabha member from Gujarat. I gave her a district in Gujarat to work as a MP. She did a remarkable job. It was then that I decided to send her to a place in UP that was most underdeveloped. When I did research, I found out that Amethi was the place that required most work. I had then taken the decision to work for this place so that people from all over the world come here and do case study. I have selected Smriti now it's your turn to select her.4:46 pm: Modi: So far one thing is absolutely clear – whoever has voter so far has ensured two important steps. Firstly, mother- son government is now out of the competition. If they think they can take out people from the jail and form coalition, that too won't work. Even the birds of prison cannot save them. Secondly, voters have laid the foundation stone for the next government in Delhi. Now brothers and sisters your work is to form a strong government in Delhi4:44 pm: Modi: Many phases of the elections have been completed and I had the privilege of visiting many places of the country.I tried to seek blessing from every corner of the nation. We have seen many elections, but this election is going to prove the evaluation of political pundits wrong. They sit under the AC and analyze. But they need to come here and see the enthusiasm of the people here. 4:43 pm: Modi: Tell me friends, what should I tell you?4:42 pm: Modi welcomes all the party workers, Smriti Irani and all the people who have gathered there. 4:41 pm: Modi begins his speech4:25 pm: Narendra Modi is welcomed to Amethi as he takes his seat beside Smriti Irani on the stage4:19 pm: Modi arrives in his chopper and heads for the stage 4:15 pm: Thousands of people have gathered in Amethi to hear Modi's speech Modi's rally in Faizabad:1:12 pm: Modi concludes his speech. Crowd continues cheering for him and chanting Jai Shri Ram.01:10 pm: Modi: You give me a strong government I will give you strong India. 01: 05: pm: Modi: 5000 people died in one go. When a son/ daughter go out to Gujarat, mother gets worried. She says – be careful, don't fall off to sleep in the train, etc…then mother will call after every few minutes. She will say, “I cant sleep. Tell me where have you reached?” She will keep asking her son where you have reached. Then son says I will reach Gujarat in five minutes. Then the mother is relieved and can sleep peacefully. Mother of UP, feels secure about Gujarat. I want to make that kind of Uttar Pradesh. You tell me what kind of government do you want in Delhi?(Crowd: Modi!!!) Modi: What kind of government do you want? (Crowd: Modi!!!)Modi: My people of Ayodhya, what kind of Government do you want? Do you want a loose government in Delhi? You want a strong one right? If an inspector is useless in your locality then would you like that? Even children want good teachers. Then wouldn't this nation need a strong government? To form a strong government in Delhi, send all your lotuses to Delhi. I want all the lotuses from the land of Ram. 01:02 pm: Modi: That is why I'm saying that I will always fight corruption. Enough of these people exploiting the country! There is no village in UP who is not trying to earn their living in Gujarat. Ask your relatives have they ever suffered in there? If Gujarat can grow, why cant this nation? Tell me why do you have to keep weapons with you? If father is ill you won't have enough money for his treatment, but you will have enough money to buy a gun. Why? Why are people living in fear? 12:57 pm: Modi: Have they not deluded you? Will you not desert them? Do you think that SP, BSP and Congress are separate entities? They say you handle my affair and I'll handle yours. They wrestle in Lucknow and join hands in Delhi. They eat on the plate offered by Madam (Sonia). Brothers and sisters they have exploited the nation. You tell me - do you think that corruption should be removed? I want you all to give me an honest answer. You promise me that you will tell me the truth? Will you?Crowd: YES!Modi: Who can eradicate corruption from the country?Crowd: (shouts in unison) Modi!Modi: You have faith? I assure you from the land of Lord Ram that will always fight against corruption. You know what gives me the courage to say that? I am the son of a poor mother. I have lived what I have said. I've been elected as the CM of Gujarat for the 4th time in a row. I live a comfortable life. But my mother aged 95, went to cast her votes in auto rickshaw. We have been brought up with that culture. 12:54 pm: Modi: In 2009 Congress had mentioned in their ‘dokha patra' (betrayal) – manifesto…They do dokha in politics and in their work, In 2009 they had promised that if their government is formed in Delhi then 10 crore people will get employment. In a country nothing but the truth is spoken – they had promised. Is there anyone here who had been promised and they have got the job? Under Atal Behari's governance, over 6 crore people got employed. But in congress's government, 1.5 people got employed. 12:51 pm: Modi: 60 years have gone wasted because of divisive politics. Unite communities, and brothers. Every child of India must sit together and look up to mother India. Its 1st culprit of UP is Congress party, then father – son party, then bhenji's party. When BSP comes to power they attack SP and vice versa. Congress on the other hand benefits from both he sides. Shouldn't they answer to the public? Do they do that? 12:50 pm: Modi: Mahatma Gandhi was often asked what kind of a nation should there be? He said the must be a kingdom like Ram's kingdom (Crowd shouts - Jai Shri Ram). If you want development of this place then you have to rebuild Ram's kingdom. (Crowd cheers – Jai Shri Ram)You have to build a country where everyone is thriving. Vote bank politics has destroyed that nation. 12:48 pm: Modi begins his speech as the crowd cheers vehementlyModi's rally in Ambedkarnagar:12:18 pm: Modi concludes his speech12:17 pm: Modi: They have betrayed you. Will you not desert hem? You have lotus in your lips, but on 7th May, vote of BJP by pressing on lotus. 12:15 pm: Modi: My farmers make our fields greens then my government will provide it ample of funds too. Mother- son government had mentioned in their 2009 that they would reduce price hike in 100 days. Did that happen? Did they not fool you? Mother – son are going from village to village…shouldn't they answer about price hike? They are so proud that they don't consider public worthy enough to answer them. 12:13 pm: Modi: We have decided that after BJP forms government in Delhi, the farmers will not be exploited. Bureaucrats decide the minimum cost price as per their benefit. My farmers suffer because of that. Now we will make a formula for it.Farmers will be given the double the price of the total cost of cultivation and production. Tell me – will farmers have to die now? 12:09 pm: Modi: I have taken a resolution I will answer them. That's why I am going to construct the highest statue of the world for him in Gujarat. I thank you because you have provided me with iron. People right now remember Statue of Liberty, now they will remember this. Lal Bahadur Shashtri used to say – ‘Jai Jawan Jai kisan'. But in this mother – son government is there any scope of saying Jai Jawan Jai kisan? Pakistan comes and beheads are soldiers…more farmers have committed suicide than the number of soldiers who have died in the border areas. And this government has no answer. Their slogan is ‘Mar Jawan Mar kisan'.12:06 pm: Modi: They insult each other in Lucknow. But in Delhi they get together. They wrestle in Lucknow and shake hands in Delhi. Brothers and sisters, think for a moment think that if Sardar Vallabhai Patel would have been the 1st Prime Minister of India wouldn't farmers have benefited? Wouldn't Kashmir issue have been resolved? It is our duty to honor Sardar Vallabhai Patel. This family has humiliated him. In this mother- son government, Sardar's name has totally disappeared. Thousands of schemes are after this family's name but his name is lost.12:04 pm: Modi: 60 years have passed since Independence. What have you gained? Who is going to pay your debt? They don't care about the people. So send them off now. I am willing to be accountable before the people. Now you have no choice other BJP. 12: 00 pm: Modi: Madam Soniaji said that ‘he is asking'…because I had once said – yeh dil mange more…maybe she is embarrassed of asking. But I am not. This public is an avatar of god. If I don't ask my god on bended knees then who will I ask? Should this son of a poor mother not ask? But Soniaji I can ask but not loot. If a poor mother's son will not ask then what else can he do? Madam Sonia also said, “So far the results have not been declared and he is calling himself the Prime Minister”. Soiniaji what can I if you have said such a wonderful thing on your own? In our country we say – ‘tumhare muh me ghee shakkar'. 11:57 am: Modi: I have come to the land of Shiv. I have learnt to fight against injustice since childhood. On 16th May results will be declared. In some days a new government will be formed. The people have decided that BJP will form the new government. Through your medium I want to assure everyone that – All those who have filed nominations. They have mentioned the amount of crimes they have committed. I will hand over the list to the Supreme Court. I will request the court to send the culprits behind the bars. And those who have been accused despite their innocence will get to be in the parliament with dignity. I don't care which party they belong to. Even if they are of my own party, I will take action against them. Criminals do not deserve to sit in the parliament. 11:53 am: Modi: Can we have politics of weapons? Can culprits seat in the parliament? Today I have come to the land of Ram Manohar Lohia. I want to give you the assurance that this nation, its democracy and voice of the commoners is our strength. Violent politics cannot work here. I have with me Sanju Devi – intense violence was inflicted on this lady.I want to ask the government of UP and Delhi - what was her crime? Why was her ‘mangalsutra' snatched away? Why was her husband killed? Why are the culprits being shielded? I assure you that there will be no more Sanju Devi in this country. Such acts will not be tolerated11:52 am: Modi: This election is not being fought by any politician, candidate or party. It is being fought by the public. Brothers and sisters…you all are a living proof of the power of democracy. 11:51 am: Modi: You all are here standing under this heat. I assure you that I will not let your strife go in vain. 11:50 am: Modi begins his speech by greeting all those who had gathered for the rally.

LIVE: Gandhi family is 'arrogant' and 'power drunk', says Modi in Amethi

Amethi, May 5: BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi Monday tore into the Gandhi family, accusing them of not only being "arrogant" and "power drunk" but also of ignoring the welfare and interests of the

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LIVE: Gandhi family is 'arrogant' and 'power drunk', says Modi in Amethi

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