Narendra Modi running away from discussion on failed promises: Congress

AHMEDABAD: Denouncing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks that the Congress was levelling baseless allegations against "the son of Gujarat", the opposition party today said he was making emotional statements to run away from discussions on failed promises.

If he was strong, he should have called the winter session of Parliament and faced questions, senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said.

"Why cannot we challenge the prime minister in Gujarat, just because he is from Gujarat?" Sharma sought to know.

"He (Modi) visits Uttar Pradesh and abuses (Samajwadi Party leader) Akhilesh Yadav, goes to Bihar and abuses (RJD chief) Lalu Yadav, insults Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi in Uttar Pradesh," he alleged while talking to reporters.

"We are not insulting you but should we also not ask any questions?" Sharma said.

Modi, during a rally in Gujarat yesterday attacked the Congress, saying the opposition party leaders were hurling baseless allegations at the "son of Gujarat".

Sharma claimed that Modi had "no tolerance and democratic mindset", which is why he said so.

"Your (Modi's) big promises have turned out to be a lie and you are running away from discussions and only making false emotional statements," the Congress leader charged.

He claimed that Modi "hates truth, he often lies. He is loud, but not strong. If he was strong, he should have called the winter session of Parliament and faced questions".

Sharma also said that today he sent a book to the prime minister, titled 'Journey of the Nation', which details the 125 years of history of the Congress so that Modi could put history in perspective.

In response to Modi's allegations that the Congress insulted Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, he said the 'Iron Man' was among the country's great leaders and freedom fighters.

He was a Congress leader and the deputy prime minister. "Both Pandit (Jawaharlal) Nehru and Sardar admired each other," he said.

"When Modiji sets up the Statue of Unity, I would request him to put a copper plate with a letter from Sardar Patel, dated February 4, 1939, which he wrote to RSS chief M S Golwalkar on Mahatma Gandhi's murder," he said.