How can Rahul lead country when he cannot handle Amethi: Modi

Sarguja (Chhattisgarh), Apr 20: Sonia Gandhi's speech in Amethi asking people to ensure victory of Rahul Gandhi today invited barbs from Narendra Modi who wondered how the Congress Vice President can lead the country when he cannot handle his constituency.

The BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate kept up with his sharp attacks on the first family of the ruling party as he referred to "whopping rise" in the assets of Rahul's brother- in-law Robert Vadra and termed it the model of "ma-bete ki sarkar" (mother-son's government).

"Sonia told the people in Amethi to take care of her son. We are told that he will take care of the country. Tell me, is there any logic in this? One who is begging with the people in Amethi to take care of her son....If he can't handle Amethi, then how can he handle the country," he told a rally here.

Sonia had told a rally in Amethi yesterday that the people should support policies of Congress and ensure victory of Rahul.

"I have handed over Rahul to you in 2004 following the tradition of Indira Gandhi, who had handed over her son Rajiv Gandhi to you," she had said.

Criticised by Gandhis for selling people dreams and giving an impression that he has a magic wand to turn around the country, Modi tried to turn the tables as he said he often wondered who they were referring to as they never named anyone.

He then cited a recent report in a US newspaper on Vadra's fortunes and said sarcastically he finally realised who Gandhis spoke about after reading the story.

"They spoke about a Class X pass youth who had only Rs 1 lakh in pocket and then went on to own Rs 300 crore in three years. This is the mother-son's model. You heard about 2G, now hear about jijaji (brother-in-law). Do we have to leave this country in their hands?," he said.

Accusing Rahul of misleading the country on issues of women's safety, he said seven of the top 10 states in terms of crimes against women were ruled by Congress. "I think the new slogan of Congress is 'har haath loot har bol jhoot' (Loot with every hand, all words are lies)."

Meanwhile, addressing a rally in Bhilai later, Modi said, "Ma-bete ki sarkar is trying to prevent him from coming to power. They cannot tolerate a chaiwala, who has come up with his hard labour and dedication challenging their authority. They have exploited the nation in the name of poor and poverty."

Referring to Rahul Gandhi's visits to the houses of poor, Modi said, "For them, poverty is a tourist destination and a tourism. The way people visit the Taj Mahal and take photographs, similarly he visits the houses of the poor and click photographs. Rahul is taking camera crews with him to see poverty, as he hasn't seen it before."

Mocking Sonia Gandhi's recent address in Amethi where she appealed to the voters to take care of his son, Modi said, "How can he (Rahul) think of taking care of the nation when his mother wants people to look after him."

The Gujarat Chief Minister also promised that black money stashed away in foreign banks would be brought back to India once NDA is voted to power.

Modi was in Bhilai to campaign for veteran BJP leader and sitting MP Saroj Pandey, who is contesting the election from her home constituency- Durg.