Modi has hatred for my family, only love can defeat him: Rahul

Congress president Rahul Gandhi Saturday alleged that the BJP, RSS and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have hatred towards his family, but he does not harbour the same feelings for the PM.

He said that although Modi repeatedly attacked him, his father Rajiv Gandhi, grandmother Indira Gandhi and great grandfather Jawaharlal Nehru, he gave him a hug.

The Congress chief's remarks came a week after Modi said in a rally that former PM Rajiv Gandhi "was termed 'Mr Clean' by his courtiers, but his life ended as 'Bhrashtachari No 1' (corrupt number 1)".

Modi had also alleged that Rajiv Gandhi and his family had used the INS Viraat as a "personal taxi" for 10 days while they were vacationing at an island in Lakshadweep in the late 80s.

"BJP, RSS and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hatred for my family and our job is to remove it. Narendra Modi attacks me. He speaks with hatred about my father, my grandmother and my great grandfather. He speaks in anger, but I go and give him a 'jhappi' (hug)," Rahul Gandhi said.

"You are the prime minister... you must remove hatred and work with love. This will benefit you. I don't hate Narendra Modi, he can give me as much hatred as he can. He can speak about my family whatever he wants," he said.

"Hatred cannot be conquered with hatred in return. Only love can defeat Narendra Modi and not the hatred," he added.

The Congress chief was addressing an election rally here for party candidate and folk singer Prahlad Tipaniya, who is contesting the Lok Sabha election from Dewas seat.

Speaking about his party's proposed NYAY minimum income guarantee scheme, Rahul Gandhi said, "Amazingly, the idea of this scheme (NYAY) came from Narendra Modi. He did not implement it, spoken lie about giving Rs 15 lakh."