Congress takes on PM Modi, asks progressive forces to unite

Congress leader Manish Tewari on Monday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his rant of the grand old party in poll-bound West Bengal, saying the progressive forces need to come together to ensure the fundamental values on which India stands do not get diluted.

Tewari said the fundamental battle in this country today is for the soul of India, adding the progressive forces need to come together if and where required.

"The idea is to ensure that the pluralistic ethos of India, the fundamental values on which India stands they do not get diluted," he told ANI here.

Prime Minister Modi yesterday described the electoral understanding between the Left and the Congress as an attempt to 'cheat' the people and a 'sin', which the people of West Bengal and Kerala would not tolerate.

"I am surprised at the Left and Congress. What do they think of people of the State? The Congress has embraced the Left in such a manner that their own colour is appearing red," he said.

Prime Minister Modi blamed the Left and the Congress for the Saradha chit-fund scam, saying they failed to open enough bank branches in the state.

"Had the Congress and the Left opened the doors of the banks to the poor, they would not have put their money in Saradha chit-fund," he said while addressing an election rally at Shahid Minar grounds in Kolkata.