Modi pans Cong for using foul language against Yeddyurappa

Taking on Congress leaders for attacking BJP's chief ministerial candidate for Karnataka B S Yeddyurappa, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today they were talking "rubbish" about him.

Addressing an election rally here in Yeddyurappa's home district, Modi said political differences and rivalry may exist, allegations and counter-allegations made, but restraint must be exercised while speaking.

"The kind of language they are using....baseless allegations they are making ignoring his age and commitment to the society.

"All kinds of 'anap shanap' (rubbish) language is being used...I want to tell the people of Shivamogga to ensure that Congress candidates lose their deposit, Yeddyurappa's insult is avenged," he said with the Lingayat strongman seated on the dais.

He also hit out at Congress leaders for making "fun" of Yeddyurappa's visit to homes of people belonging to the deprived sections, saying it amounted to ridiculing the poor.

Modi's defence of Yeddyurappa came following relentless attacks by Congress leaders, including its president Rahul Gandhi, who raised questions over the BJP declaring a "corrupt and tainted" person its chief ministerial candidate.

Calling the Congress "power hungry", Modi said it followed the British policy of divide and rule.

He accused the Congress of dividing the society in the name of caste, tradition, and region.

"I want to ask the Congress and its leaders do you do the right thing when you make a distinction between criminals on the basis of caste, sect and tradition? Is it right to say a criminal is innocent on the basis of sect and tradition?
"I want to ask Karnataka's Congress government who gave protection to killers of innocent BJP workers from the abc of communalism--PFI, SIMI and others....these alphabets of violence....who gave this saugat (gift) to Karnataka?"