Launching BJP's final assault against Congress for May 5 assembly polls, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today threw barbs at Sonia Gandhi accusing her of "arrogance" and at Rahul Gandhi calling him "Mr. golden spoon."
With just a day left for the electioneering to end, BJP deployed its posterboy for the final push to the party's prospects in a battle ground that is perceived to be slippery for it dogged by charges of corruption and two splits in the party.
Modi had reportedly shown initial hesitation to plunge into the campaign and addressed a rally in Bangalore on Sunday. Party sources said he was enthused by the responsive gathering in Bangalore that prompted adding one more lap.
"Mr golden spoon (Rahul). You come here and say that there is 'brashtachar' everywhere. Is there 'sishtachar' in Delhi?" said Modi as he took on the AICC Vice-President who had unleashed a barrage of attacks against the BJP government branding it as a "champion" of corruption.
On Sonia Gandhi, who was also in Karnataka today for election campaign, Modi said "Sonia madam, you came and made a big speech here.... but you did not touch the issue of price rise. Is price rise not a burning issue?.
UPA had promised to bring down the prices within 100 days of assuming power but did not do so and "should she not have apologised to the people..?" Modi asked the gathering.
"....you are a mother.. at least could you not shed tears for the plight of the poor.. could you not say two words to assuage their feelings? That is because of your arrogance...
Congress' arrogance has gone sky high..", Modi told Gandhi.
He also taunted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saying he had been under 'a seige' and hence had become 'silent'.
"It's very difficult for him to speak in Delhi. Because of that, he came out of Delhi that he was able to speak (in Karnataka during campaign). He has to speak only what's given to him in writing", Modi said referring to rallies addressed by Singh earlier this week.
Hitting back at Sonia Gandhi, who in her public meeting at Gulbarga today questioned Karnataka government on utilisation of central funds, Modi said ".. has the money been given as dowry? We ask you this question."