Azam Khan targets Congress and BJP, says 'Modi acting like PM'

Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan on Thursday alleged that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is acting like the country's Prime Minister.

"I can say that his speech was political. Gujarat CM has already considered himself as the PM of our nation. I can say he is acting like the Prime Minister," he said.

Khan, who was reacting to Modi's criticism of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's address to the nation on India's 67th Independence Day, said the nation is going through a very tough time.

He also used the occasion to target UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, saying she controls the Prime Minister's Office.

"The one who is the Prime Minister is unfit for the post and the one who wants to become the Prime Minister is not there in reality," said Khan.

He said the BJP's view that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi should lead the country is sending a wrong signal.

The Samajwadi Party leader said the 125 crore people of the country are indecisive as to whether they support the Gandhi family-backed UPA or the Sangh family-backed BJP coalition.

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.

"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.