Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday denounced the ruling Congress in Rajasthan, saying that its “dark deeds” had been recorded in a red diary, which would ensure its defeat in the upcoming State Assembly election. Sacked Minister Rajendra Gudha had sought to table the diary in the Assembly earlier this week, claiming that it contained the details of questionable transactions by the Congress.Addressing a BJP rally in Sikar, Mr. Modi said that the diary was a fresh product of the Congress’ loot ki dukaan (shop of plunder), which would expose several party leaders and destroy their political career. The PM also claimed that a recruitment paper leak industry was thriving in the State, arguing that the future of Rajasthan’s youth could not be secured unless the Congress was removed from power.Responding to Mr. Modi’s remarks, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that the red diary was just “an imagination” and urged the Prime Minister to instead pay attention to “red LPG cylinders and red tomatoes”. Speaking at a Labharthi Samvad programme, Mr. Gehlot said, “Mr. Modi cannot see the faces of people which have turned red because of spiralling prices. People are going to show him the red flag in the elections.”“Rajasthan is witnessing only one voice and one slogan this time: lotus will win and lotus will bloom,” Mr. Modi said. The Congress was the “biggest directionless party” in the country and its methods were similar to those adopted by the enemies of the country, he saidThe PM took a potshot at the Opposition’s new coalition, saying they had changed their name from UPA (United Progressive Alliance) to INDIA (Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance) to hide their past wrongdoing. “Congress and its allies have changed their name just like the fraud companies have been doing it, but the people cannot be misled by the use of the country’s name,” he said.
