I-Day speech: Modi pits himself against PM

Aug 15, 2013 |

Age Correspondent

Sending another clear signal that he was the BJP’s face for 2014, Gujarat CM Narendra Modi pitted himself against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday, declaring that his Independence Day speech would be compared to that of the PM.

“When we unfurl the tricolour, the message will also go to Lal Quila. The nation will want to know what was said there and what is said here,” Mr Modi said in a speech at a gathering at Bhuj in Kutch district. Indicating that his speech will give rise to “aasha (hope)”, he said the PM will only offer “nirasha (despair)”.
Congress leaders ridiculed Mr Modi’s claims. Minister of state for parliamentary affairs Rajiv Shukla said he was “full of arrogance”, and wondered: “If this kind of person gets higher in politics, what he will do to the country?”
Communications minister Kapil Sibal said those hearing him (Modi) will be curious on what misstatement of facts he would now make.
“Every time he makes a speech, there are some false figures, false facts”, Mr Sibal said.

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