Rahul slams Modi, says he represents RSS ideology

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Press Trust of India Bardoli (Gujarat)
Last Updated : Feb 08 2014 | 3:54 PM IST
Rahul Gandhi today took on BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi in his home state of Gujarat, saying he represents RSS ideology which has killed Mahatma Gandhi.
He also attacked Modi for construction of a massive statue of Sardar Patel, saying the 'Iron Man' had described the RSS ideology as "poisonous" and had represented Congress thought which Modi wants to erase from the country.
In an attempt at damage control over the 'chai wala' barb by his party colleague Mani Shankar Aiyar against Modi, the Congress Vice President said people from all professions, including tea vendors should be respected except those who make fool of others.
Addressing a public meeting here, the Congress leader targeted Modi's governance and sought to highlight the problems being faced by various sections, including farmers, in the state.
Attacking Modi's ideology, he said, "You have been in RSS all your life... Who killed Mahatma? It was RSS ideology which killed him. After his death Sardar Patel had proposed to ban RSS".
"What Patel and Mahatma said neither do you have any understanding nor have read them. But you want to construct a statue. Sardar had said RSS was a poisonous ideology which will destroy the country's soul."
Gandhi said people from all professions should be respected.
"People are involved in various professions. Some make tea, others drive taxi, some are engaged in farming. We have to respect all of them. We have to respect the tea vendor, the labourer and the farmer. But those who make fool (ullu) of others, should not be respected," he said.
The comment assumes significance as it comes two days after he told Congress spokespersons to desist from making personal attacks on any political leader.
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First Published: Feb 08 2014 | 3:54 PM IST