"The Congress is dying here and Pakistanis are crying”: PM Modi Slams Rahul Gandhi, Alleges Pakistan's Preference for Congress "Shehzada"

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday took a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during an election rally in Gujarat's Anand, asserting that Pakistan desires to see the Congress scion as India's prime minister. Modi referred to Rahul Gandhi as "Congress’s Shehzada" and accused the Grand Old Party of being a “mureed” (follower) of Pakistan.

Addressing the crowd, Modi highlighted the alleged support from Pakistani leaders towards Rahul Gandhi, emphasizing the purported weakening of the Congress in India and Pakistan's alleged eagerness to elevate Rahul Gandhi to the position of prime minister. "The Congress is dying here and Pakistanis are crying," stated Modi, adding, "Pakistan leaders want to make 'Shehzada' of Congress India's prime minister."

The Prime Minister's remarks came in response to a video shared by former Pakistani minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, featuring Rahul Gandhi criticizing the BJP government during the inauguration of the Ram Mandir, with the caption “Rahul on fire”. Modi asserted that the Congress's association with Pakistan has been exposed, insinuating a partnership between the two.

Modi further hit out at Congress's approach to governance, highlighting the BJP's achievements and contrasting them with the Congress's record over the years where the grand old party has allegedly fared poorly. "In Congress's 60 years of rule, around 60 per cent of the rural population did not have the facility of toilets. BJP accomplished this in just 10 years," said PM Modi. He accused the Congress of neglecting rural development and failing to provide basic amenities to the population during its tenure.

"I challenge Congress to give in writing that they will not change the Constitution to give reservations on a religious basis," Modi said accusing the Congress of having intentions to amend India's Constitution to provide reservations for Muslims under the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) categories. Additionally, Modi reiterated his commitment to developing India and achieving significant milestones by 2047, the centenary of India's independence.

Gujarat will go to polling during the third phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on May 7. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are being conducted in 7 phases. The first phase was on April 19, and the second phase was on April 26, the subsequent phases will follow on May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1. The results will be declared on June 4.