Narendra Modi campaigns in Himachal Pradesh, mocks PM as `Maun-mohan`

Narendra Modi is headed for the hills as he is all set to join Himachal Pradesh campaign on Monday.

Zeenews Bureau

Mandi: Raising the campaign heat in the wake of upcoming Assembly Elections in Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hit out directly at PM Manmohan Singh, calling him “Maun-mohan Singh”. The Gujarat CM further slammed the UPA government’s “insensitivity towards aam aadmi”. Addressing an election rally in Mandi district, Modi started by mocking Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who had yesterday addressed a rally at Una district in Himachal Pradesh. Modi said, “Today’s biggest news is that ‘Maun-mohan’ Singh broke his maun (silence)”. Modi was referring to PM’s Sunday campaign rally in Una district, where he had slammed the BJP, saying that the saffron party has not done much for the state. “In last eight years whatever development work has taken place here is all due to the financial support provided by the UPA government”, PM had said. Slamming the UPA government for inflation and cap on LPG cylinders, Modi came down heavily upon Congress, saying, “Has the PM said a single word about price rise? Shouldn’t he apologise?” Slamming the limit on LPG cylinders, Modi blamed the UPA government for “snatching the cylinders” from aam aadmi and reasoned that “in a cold state like Himachal Pradesh, one needs to heat the food items again and again” which further increases the need for subsidised gas cylinders. Hailing Himachal CM Prem Kumar Dhumal, Modi said that had he been a Himachal resident, he would have voted for Modi. “Dhumal ji has done a wonderful job by promising free chulhas (gas ovens) for its people… this chulha will burn the Congress party to ashes”, Modi roared. Citing the example of Gujarat which he said was “a role model for development”, Modi said Himachal Pradesh too will shine like Gujarat if people voted for the BJP. “I pray to the people of Himachal Pradesh to choose the BJP, and I promise as much development here as in Gujarat. Himachal Pradesh too can show the same development that Gujarat has shown”, Narendra Modi said. Modi didn’t spare the newly-appointed Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid, saying that the Congress promoted Khurshid despite the allegations of corruption against him. “The country was seething in anger after the allegations against Salman Khurshid...but he got a promotion”, Narendra Modi said. Even though his own state is scheduled to go to polls next month, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today joined Himachal Pradesh election campaign. Yesterday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh started the Himachal Pradesh campaign. Having completed the first stage of campaign in his very own poll-bound state Gujarat, Modi is in Himachal to raise the election campaign pitch, as he has in past been instrumental behind the rise of PK Dhumal in Himachal in late nineties. Himachal Pradesh is set to go to the polls on November 04 for 68 Assembly seats.