Rahul takes dig at Modi over Sardar Patel statue, Shah hits back

Rahul Gandhi Thursday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was "insulting" Sardar Patel by building his statue in Gujarat which is 'Made in China', evoking a sharp reaction from BJP chief Amit Shah who termed his comments "shameful" and accused his family of trying to erase Patel's legacy.

The Congress president was speaking at a public rally in Chitrakoot in Madhya Pradesh where he also hit out at the Modi government over the unemployment issue.

"Narendra Modi ji is making the statue of Sardar Patel in Gujarat. It is the world's tallest statue, it is a good work, but it is 'Made in China'. This is an insult to Sardar Patel... but Sardar Patel's statue cannot be made in China. Wherever you go and see, it is 'Made in China' and the youth in China are getting jobs for it," Gandhi told the rally in the poll-bound state.

Assembly elections are due in the state later this year.

The 182-metre 'Statue of Unity', being built at Sadhu Bet in Narmada district, is slated to be inaugurated by Modi on Patel's birth anniversary on October 31.

Hitting back, Shah attacked Gandhi for his offensive against the prime minister, saying it was a "shame" that at a time when India is united in paying tributes to the country's first home minister by building a grand 'statue of unity', he is "spreading canards" to discredit the project.

It is a very disgraceful statement and the BJP strongly condemns it, he said.

The BJP chief also tweeted ,"Dear Rahul Gandhi, your family humiliated Sardar Patel, unsuccessfully tried to erase his legacy from the people's hearts and minds. Your lies on the 'statue of unity' is another display of your visceral hatred towards Sardar Patel."
"We are pitted against China and the Indian youth are not seeing a way forward. When Indian youth look at Narendra Modi's stage, they say they cannot have faith on him and this man is lying," the Congress chief said adding "He has spoke a lie to farmers, youth, women."
He said the entire country was feeling proud that the "world's tallest statue" is being built here and asked "why is Rahul Gandhi not feeling proud about it?"