Modi skirted real issue appealing to Hindus, Muslims to fight poverty: Congress

NEW DELHI: Congress today said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has "skirted the real issue" in the wake of Dadri lynching incident while appealing to Hindus and Muslims to work together to fight poverty.

"The Prime Minister has skirted the real issue. He has appealed to Hindus and Muslims to fight against poverty...By this statement, he has not condemned Dadri incident and those in BJP playing the communal card on the issue," party spokesperson R P N Singh said.

Asked about his reaction on the Prime Minister's statement, Singh said "why can't the PM ask Hindus and Muslims to live in peace" and deplore those MLAs, MPs, party office bearers and Union Ministers who continue to spread communal venom.

Addressing an election rally in Nawada in Bihar, the Prime Minister pitched for communal harmony and brotherhood in the country, saying Hindus and Muslims should work together to fight the common enemy of poverty and ignore "irresponsible" statements made by politicians, even if he himself makes any.

In his first comments amid communal overtones in the wake of Dadri lynching incident, he invoked President Pranab Mukherjee, saying the countrymen should follow his message given yesterday on preserving the core civilisational values of diversity, tolerance and plurality.

"I have said it earlier also. Hindus should decide whether to fight Muslims or poverty. Muslims have to decide whether to fight Hindus or poverty...Both need to fight poverty together...The country has to stay united," Modi said.

"It is the unity, communal harmony, brotherhood and peace that will take the nation forward," he added.