Contest Lok Sabha elections in 'Bofors-accused' Rajiv Gandhi's name: PM Modi to Congress

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday challenged Congress to contest the last two phases of Lok Sabha elections in the name of Rajiv Gandhi, after Congress leaders heavily condemned PM Modi's "bhrashtachari no 1" remark about the late former PM.
"I challenge the 'Naamdaar' family. Today's phase of polling has ended but two more rounds are still left. I dare you to contest the elections over the issue of integrity of former PM Rajiv Gandhi, who was accused of corruption in the Bofors case," the PM said while addressing a rally in Jharkhand.
PM Modi's statement came in response to the Congress leaders' unrelenting criticism of his remarks about Rajiv Gandhi made at a rally in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday.
The PM had attacked Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, saying, "Your father was termed Mr Clean by his courtiers but his life ended as bhrashtachari no. 1" (Corrupt no. 1).

While Congress leaders fumed over PM's remark, party president Rahul Gandhi , saying that Modi was projecting his inner beliefs about himself in his father's (Rajiv Gandhi) name but warned that Karma would eventually catch up with him.
Congress general secretary and daughter of the former PM, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, too did not stay far behind in expressing her anger. While addressing a nukkad sabha in UP on Monday, she said,“If BJP leaders are patriotic, they should respect all the martyrs without discrimination. They should also respect Rajiv Gandhi and Indira Gandhi."
The BJP defended Modi's remarks, saying everything the PM said was true.
Union minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Prakash Javadekar cited the former prime minister's remarks about the 1984 riots to accuse him of "supporting" the massacre of Sikhs.
He also claimed that he was surprised at the reactions of Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra over Modi's remarks.
Meanwhile, Union minister by the mention of Bofors. "Why did Ottavio Quattrocchi get kickbacks in Bofors? Who was the 'Q' connection? No reply has come," Jaitley said on Twitter.

In Video:Challenge Congress to contest elections in the name of Rajiv Gandhi: PM Modi