BJP distorting facts, says PM

Taking potshots at the BJP, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday advised them to look into their own record before presenting "distorted facts" and "levelling baseless allegations" against the Congress.

Addressing a rally at the Ramlila Ground here, he took a dig at Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's speeches and said that Congress leaders did not use derogatory language during public rallies.

"Our party doesn't believe in negative politics like BJP. We present our view with dignity and sincerity. We don't use derogatory language like some senior leaders of BJP. We also don't take support of lies like the BJP leaders," he said.

"I feel sorry that some senior BJP leaders are taking support of false statements," he added.

Stressing the BJP leaders are presenting distorted facts and levelling baseless allegations against Congress, he advised people to crosscheck the authenticity of what BJP leaders say before believing them.

"In a political rally in Jodhpur about a month ago, a BJP chief minister accused us of violation of minority community's human rights. Before leveling such allegations, they should look into their records."

"Their prime minster at that time had asked their chief minister to perform his raj dharma," he said, in a reference to then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's advice to the Gujarat chief minister.

Highlighting his government's record, he said that United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime has launched several welfare schemes.

He also praised the development works carried out in Rajasthan by the Ashok Gehlot government.

Gehlot and Congress general secretary C.P. Joshi were among other senior Congress leaders who also addressed the gathering where security was very tight and entry was only allowed after thorough checking.