"Deve Gowdaji, you are an elderly person. You are the former PM of India. I am like your son...," the BJP Prime Ministerial candidate said at rallies in Karnataka.
"I publicly promise you that if staying here has become a problem, then I pray - you don't worry. I will make all arrangements for you in Gujarat. If you want to live in an old-age home, live in a house, farm-house or if you want to live in my house. I would render service more than your son."
Modi raised Gowda's remarks, made at Shimoga yesterday, at his rallies in Chikkaballapur and Chikkamagalur and spoke in similar words inviting the former Prime Minister to his state.
The Gujarat Chief Minister also took a swipe at Gowda on the issue of dynastic politics.
"Here (in Karnataka) the dynastic rule is in full flow. Dynastic rule is an enemy of democracy - Deve Gowdaji and his son. I read somewhere yesterday that Deve Gowda said if Modi became PM he would leave Karnataka," Modi said.