Congress targets Modi after BJP takes jibe at Rahul Gandhi

With the BJP taking potshots over "leave of absence" taken by Rahul Gandhi, the Congress on Friday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing him of ignoring senior leaders of his party, including L.K. Advani.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said Modi and BJP president Amit Shah should focus on "real issues" at the party's national executive meeting being held in Bengaluru.

"Instead of brainstorming on real issues, they seem to be doing a brain-washing session. We would come ask them to remember their own self-professed culture and regard for the elders," Surjewala said.

He said Advani had "protected" Modi in 2002 from being relegated to "dustbins of history" when former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had reminded him of "rajdharma" following the Gujarat riots.

Vajpayee had "wanted to remove him (Modi) as chief minister".

"Having secured power in Delhi, the same Modi has relegated the party's patriarchs including his own saviour Advani and the entire ilk of (senior) BJP leadership to the dustbins of political history," Surjewala said.

He also accused the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government of not fulfilling its promise of bringing back black money stashed abroad.

Shah, in his address at the BJP national executive meeting, took a dig at the Congress over its opposition to the land bill and "leave of absence" of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi.

Shah said instead of finding those faults and shortcomings which do not exist, "it (Congress) should try to find their leader".

Gandhi had gone on "leave of absence" ahead of the budget session of parliament and there has been recurring speculation about the date of his return.