Marley ahead of Lok Sabha elections in Delhi and Punjab, PM Narendra Modi has led the attack on former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi over corruption and 1984 Sikh riots. Modi accused the Congress of coining the term “Hindu terror” after the 2007 Samjhauta Express blast and keeping the “innocent in jail”. Raking up the issue of 1984 Sikh riots, he said the Congress has made one of the accused Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. In an attempt to damage Congress prospects in these two states, Modi has changed the political discourse before the two remaining phases of the Lok Sabha election. The election for the seven seats in Delhi will happen on May 12 and for 13 seats of Punjab will atke place on May 19.
It all began with a rally addressed by the PM in . Pratapgarh on May 4. Responding to Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s charge of corruption in Rafale deal, Modi said: “Your father was given a tag of Mr Clean by his courtiers. But his life ended as Bharstachari number one (Corrupt No.1).”
This was first strong attack by PM Modi on former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi just 40 kms from Amethi, a constituency Rajiv represented during his lifetime and currently represented by Rahul Gandhi.
On May 8, Modi once again takes about Rajiv Gandhi in relation to 1984 Sikh riots in Delhi. “Congress is talking about Nyay. Who will answer for the injustice done during the 1984 Sikh riots,” he said.
BJP sources tell that it was a planned move by the PM in order to garner support from the Sikh community in Delhi and Punjab.
“PM Modi is someone who uses all the arsenal available to him. As a political party, our aim is to win election and if the Congress has done something wrong there is no harm in putting the facts before the people,” said a BJP leader.
Delhi has a sizeable population of Sikhs and party feels for many of them 1984 riots is still
an issue which they can’t ignore. For BJP, the issue becomes relevant, especially, after Congress leader Sajjan Kumar was awarded a life sentence in a riot case last year and is still in jail. Modi also raised the issue of Kamal Nath becoming the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh. “Those who are facing riot charges have been made the CM. What kind of Nyay is this,” asked the PM while addressing a rally in Delhi
It is unfortunate that those who had promoted the accused in the 1984 Sikh riots and have failed to give justice to the victims are talking about Nyay,” Gadkari said while addressing the media.
Apart from corruption and 1984 Sikh riots, Modi also accused Rajiv Gandhi of using warship INS Virat as a persona taxi when he was the PM.
