The issue of Sonia Gandhi's foreign origin was raked up once again today when Prime MinisterNarendraModidared CongressChiefRahul Gandhi to talk for 15 minutes about the achievements of the Karnataka government in any language, including his "mother's mother tongue".
Modi was responding to Rahul Gandhi's dare to allow him to speak for 15 minutes in Parliament on various issues, including corruption, and that the Prime Ministerwill not be able to sit for 15 minutes.
"I dare the CongressPresidentto speak in Hindi, English or the mother tongue of his mother to deliver a speech in Karnatakafor 15 minutes, without reading out from a piece of paper, on the achievements of the party government... people of Karnatakawill draw their own conclusion," he said.
Senior BJP leaders, including its PresidentAmit Shah, have often brought up the issue of Sonia's Italian origin while targeting her son.
At his election rallies Shah has frequently taken on 'Rahul baba', saying he was unable to see the changes brought about by the Modi Governmentas he was wearing Italian spectacles.
External Affairs MinisterSushma Swarajhad, in the run up to the 2014 Lok Sabhapolls, said Sonia was entitled to the "love, affection and respect" but not acceptable as the Prime Ministerof the country.
"I have always maintained that Sonia Gandhicame to our country as Daughter-in-lawof Indira Gandhiand wife of Rajiv Gandhiand thus she is entitled to our love and affection. As the Presidentof the Congressparty she is entitled to our respect. But if she wants to become the Prime Minister then I say no," Swaraj had said.
Even Modi as the GujaratChiefMinisterhad assailed Sonia, "a person not from our soil", for giving lessons in "swabhiman" (self respect).
"A person not of our soil should not give us lessons about 'swabhiman' (self respect)," Modi had told an election rally in Nashikahead of the 2004 Lok Sabhapolls.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)