External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid on Thursday lashed out at Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for targetting Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh following his address to the nation on India's 67th Independence Day, saying the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) should have at least maintained some restraint on this auspicious occasion.
"If his government is doing those things then what is the need to tell the people about it. If he wants to praise himself, he may do it," he said.
Khurshid said Independence Day is the day of the Prime Minister when he spells out India vision and aspirations before the nation and world.
"Today is the day of our Prime Minister. As per traditions, the Prime Minister presents India's aspirations, thinking, belief and determination before the country and the world from the Red Fort. At least today, Modiji should have maintained some restraint," he said.
Launching a frontal attack on the Prime Minister, Modi today challenged to have a competition of development between Gujarat and Delhi.
"When we talk about independence, the map of Gujarat naturally flashes before our eyes. Both the non-violent and revolutionary paths to independence went through Gujarat," said Modi in his Independence Day speech at Bhuj.
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"Both Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel were from Gujarat and so were many illustrious revolutionaries who hailed from Kutch," he added.
Holding the Prime Minister responsible for corruption and rising inflation, Modi said: "Even after 60 years, we are still slaves."
Modi also criticized the Prime Minister for taking a soft stand against Pakistan.
"I expected PM would make a strong statement from Red Fort. Prime Minister should have talked tough from the ramparts of Red Fort," he said.
"The Red Fort should have been used to boost the morale of our armed forces especially after the recent incidents at the border," he added.
Earlier on August 6, five Indian soldiers were killed by Pakistani Specialist Forces on August 6 along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch District.
