Doubt PM Modi Will Regain Lost Credibility: Rahul Gandhi

Gujarat’s Chief Electoral Officer said that Rahul Gandhi’s interviews to TV channels will be examined for violation.

Rahul Gandhi asserted that the BJP cannot “ban him from going to a mandir”.

(Photo: The Quint)

Just a day ahead of the second phase of polling in Gujarat, Congress President-Elect Rahul Gandhi said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has "lost his credibility".

Speaking to News18, the Congress scion accused the prime minister of not addressing the alleged corruption in Rafale deal, and Amit Shah’s son Jay Shah’s business dealings. Gandhi asserted that Modi did not choose to speak about corruption, even when he had the “opportunity to”, thus losing his “credibility”.

Gandhi added that the people will be "surprised and shocked" at the results of Gujarat elections, and that BJP is “afraid.” According to him, even the BJP party workers admit that the Congress campaign was "effective."

Speaking to a Gujarat local channel GSTV, Gandhi claimed that Modi helps him get “stronger”.

I can have two reactions when they say something about my father, when they abuse me. I can either hate or love even more. The more hurdles they place before me, the stronger I get. Modi ji helps me the most, how can I hate him?

Rahul Gandhi to GSTV

He further asserted that BJP cannot "ban him from going to a mandir."

Gandhi took a dig at the BJP campaign in Gujarat by saying that Modi could not talk about the state’s development, and alleged that his campaign was only about the Congress and himself.

In the interview, the Congress-president elect added that he was not into “personal attacks”, even though both BJP and the prime minister launched “aggressive personal attacks” against him.

Just like Modi, Manmohan Singh too has been the prime minister of the country, and the attack against him was “not right,” said Gandhi, speaking in reference to Narendra Modi’s allegation that Congress leaders met at Mani Shankar Aiyar’s residence to “discuss” the Gujarat elections.

Sure EC Will Take Cognizance of Interview: Piyush Goyal

Gujarat’s Chief Electoral Officer BB Swain said that they have collected the DVDs of Rahul Gandhi’s interviews to TV channels and that they will be examining it for violation.

We have collected the DVDs and will be doing due examination and look into whether it has violated Rules 126 RP Act or not. 

BB Swain,Chief Electoral Officer

Hitting out at Gandhi, for giving an interview just a day ahead of the second phase of polling earlier, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said that the Election Commission will take cognizance of it.

It was not permitted to give an interview in the last 48 hours of campaigning in Gujarat. I am sure the Election Commission will take cognizance of this and take an action.

Piyush Goyal

(This story has been updated.)

(With inputs from News18, NDTV)