Won't call Rahul Gandhi 'shehzade' if Congress ends 'dynastic' politics: Narendra Modi

PATNA: BJP leader Narendra Modi today said he will stop calling Rahul Gandhi as 'Shehzade' (prince) if the Congress, whose leaders are "uncomfortable" with this, decides to discontinue its "dynastic rule".

"Congress ke mitra bahut pareshan hai ki Modi shehzade kyon keh rahe hain... unhe nind nahin aati hai (Congress leaders are troubled with Rahul being referred to as shehzade. They are unable to sleep well)," Modi said at a poll rally here.

"Lekin main phuchhta hun ki shehzade kehne ki naubat kyun aai (I want to know why I was compelled to refer him as shehzade?)" he said at BJP's election rally in Gandhi Maidan, his first public meeting in Bihar in over three years.

Modi, the BJP's PM candidate, said people dislike dynastic rule as much as the Congress is feeling offended over this.

"I will stop calling shehzade if the Congress promises to do way with dynastic politics," Modi said.

Attacking the Congress-led UPA, Modi said democracy has weakened in the country under its rule as four enemies of democracy -- dynastic and family rule, casteism, communalism and opportunism -- remained prevalent during their tenure.

"There are four enemies of democracy -- dynastic and family rule, casteism, communalism and opportunism -- and the misfortune of the country is that UPA has simultaneously practised all four vices for power at the Centre," he said.

"All these four vices have been evident during UPA rule," Modi said and criticised the ruling UPA at the Centre for hunger, poverty, and unemployment during its nearly 10-year rule.

Blaming Congress for "sins" of price rise and inflation, Modi said to add to the misery of people reeling under food inflation, Planning Commission had come up with a report which says a person can have two square meals a day for Rs 26.

"Can you get two square meal a day for Rs 26?" he asked, and said that not even a couple of cups of tea could be bought with this much money.

Referring to his own socio-economic background, Modi said the people who are ruling at the Centre "don't know what poverty is all about, but I know it."

"I was born in a poor family, and have seen and lived in poverty," he said.

"I have sold tea at the railway station and in running trains ...those selling tea in trains know more about railways than the minister," Modi said.