May 6 – BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, addressing a Parliamentary election rally in Domariyaganj in UP, in support of party candidate Jagdambika Pal, who recently quit the Congress.
Modi in his speech repeatedly attacked Priyanka Gandhi Vadra over her “low-level politics” remark and also called for Hindu-Muslim unity. Here are five excerpts from Modi’s speech:
1. “I cannot deny that I was born in a backward caste. But tell me: is it a crime to be born in a backward caste? Have I hated any other caste? Have I insulted elders? I am shocked that such a dirty allegation was imposed on me. I can assure that my politics is not of low level.”
2. “Those who live in big palaces, they should not forget that the reason behind their luxurious lifestyle is that for centuries, we, from the backward castes, have toiled and sweated. We sacrificed out lives for your welfare so that your faces keep shining. You made us sit outside your homes. You insulted us.”
3. “They said now a tea seller wants to run the country. I say at least I have sold tea, I have not sold off the nation.”
4. “This is a democracy and even an agricultural labourer can become the prime minister, even the son of a chamar, who mends shoes on the footpath, can become the prime minister.”
5. “If Hindus and Muslims fight one another, will anyone gain anything?
What is a Hindu’s problem? Poverty. What is a Muslim’s problem? Poverty. So shouldn’t Hindus and Muslims together fight poverty?”
-India Today
