Competing claims for Shiva

The Congress is trying to position itself as more Hindu than Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, and specifically the slogan that Modi's followers have adopted in Varanasi, one of the two seats from which he is contesting, "Har har Modi, har ghar Modi" (Hail Modi, bring Modi into every home). Asked about the party's reaction, Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma responded tongue in cheek, "Traditionally, in the homeland of Kashi-Vishwanath [the famous temple dedicated to Shiva], we have grown up hearing the chant, "Har Har Mahadev [Hail Lord Shiva]. However, it now appears for the BJP that Narendra Modi is even greater than Lord Shiva himself! God help them." Sharma went on to add that the Congress has never disrespected any god, goddess or saint in such a manner.