Naresh Agarwal`s tea vendor comment an insult to poor, says Narendra Modi

Zee Media Bureau/Manisha Singh Bemetra/Kawardha: In a scathing attack on Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agarwal for a personal attack on him, BJP`s prime ministerial candidate for 2014 General Elections Narendra Modi said on Thursday that even a man who polishes other people`s shoes can occupy the top post of the country. Addressing a rally in Chhattisgarh, the Gujarat Chief Minister said that the SP leader`s comment reflected the mentality of the politicians who mock poor of this country. "Those born in rich homes are mocking the poor," he said. "Even someone who polishes other people`s boots can become India`s PM," he added. He also said that he had never hidden his background. Taking a dig a Modi in Hardoi yesterday, Naresh Agarwal had said a person who used to sell tea can never be nationalist in his views and can never become India`s PM. "Narendra Modi says he used to sell tea. He wants to be PM now. A tea vendor can never have a national outlook," Agarwal said, adding, "If a constable is given an SP`s job, his perspective will not change." On the fact that Modi`s rallies across the country was attracting huge crowds, he said that even street performers are able to draw large crowds. Modi has in rallies after rallies evoked his humble background and told the people as to how as a teenager he used to run a tea stall with his brother and how he used to sell tea in trains. He has attacked the Congress for rising prices and high inflation, saying that he could empathise with the plight of the poor as he has seen poverty at close quarters. Meanwhile, the SP leader today regretted making such a remark as it had hurt the poor.