Rahul Gandhi's interest takes precedence over youth rights in Congress: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday said the Opposition makes personal attacks on him whenever he raises the issue of dynastic politics, which he alleged has ruined the states where such parties are in power and deprived talented youth an opportunity to grow. Congress, he alleged, promotes only old leaders while the youth are sidelined to promote dynasts.

Addressing a rally in Sangareddy, Telangana, the prime minister charged that the Congress is "scared" to promote young leaders, alluding to alleged apprehensions that this will affect the image of Rahul Gandhi, who BJP has labelled often as a non-serious politician. He also appeared to take a veiled dig at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge when he said the party was appointing people over 75-80 years. BJP loosely follows the norm of retiring leaders at 75.

He also said the "dynastic parties" were targeting him as he was exposing their "scams".


"I have never made any personal attacks but raised my voice against dynasty politics," Modi said, adding that "Congress and its friends" were now abusing him and his 'family'--the 140 Crore countrymen as he was keen to implement the 'guarantee' given to the public.

"I opposed dynasty (politics) as it is a danger to democracy and prevents new opportunities for youth. They (Opposition) do not respond to that but say Modi has no family," he said.

The prime minister described this as a recent trend in Congress, saying that it was not a dynastic party earlier.

Lalu Prasad had taken a jibe at Modi on Sunday, saying he is targeting others on family-oriented politics as he himself does not have a family.