Lunglei (Mizoram), On campaign trail in Mizoram, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said he felt with a great sense of ‘anguish’ when the Congress leaders ‘abuse’ the much cherished tradition and culture of the local tribal population in the north east and had once described the tribal attires as “outlandish”.
“You might remember how a few months back, Congress leaders insulted the traditional attire of north east. The attire given to me at different places in north east, was termed outlandish by them,” Prime Minister said addressing an election rally here.
“I feel a deep sense of anguish when I see the leaders of Congress party abuse the same tradition,” he said in reference to certain remarks made on tribal attires by Congress MP and former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor.
He said the Congress leaders speak a lot lauding tribal culture and lifestyle when they come to Mizoram for poll campaign, but the reality is different.”Brothers and sisters (of Mizoram), the Congress rule in this region for decades show for them, the aspirations and sentiment of the local population make no sense,” he said.
“The cultures and attires of north east are rooted in nature. You find all the colours of mother nature in it. I believe, a rich tradition is that which is linked to own culture and tradition. This is my believe for the entire country,” Mr Modi said.
“This is my vision, my thought not only for Mizoram but for the entire country. This is why in the last four years, the BJP government at the centre has worked for greater recognition and spread of Indian culture far and wide,” Prime Minister said.
Mr Modi’s remarks on ‘outlandish’ tribal attire come in reference to Congress leader Shashi Tharoor making an observation in April this year mocking at Prime Minister for staying away from Muslim skull cap but readily wearing the tribal dress.
“I ask you why does our Prime Minister wear all sorts of outlandish headgear wherever he goes around the country or around the world? Why does he always refuse to wear a Muslim skull cap? You see him in Naga headgears with feathers,” Mr Tharoor had said.
Trying to strike an emotional chord with the electorate of Mizoram, the only northeastern state to be under Congress rule now, Prime Minister in his election rally speech repeatedly used the phrase ‘sisters and brothers’ while addressing the gathering.”Today i come seeking your blessings for BJP,” he remarked.
Mizoram goes to the polls on November 28 to elect its 40-member state legislature.The Congress is in power in the state since 2008. The BJP, which had a miniscule presence in the state, is for the first time contesting 39 of the 40 assembly seats.