Modi taunts Chidambaram, calls him "recounting Minister"

Citing his government's step of offering tax exemption for those with incomes upto Rs five lakh, he told a public rally here that it was a reflection of genuine concern for the middle class, unlike the previous UPA regime.

After referring to this step , Modi said he wanted to recall the state of affairs during the UPA regime.

"There was a very wise Minister from Tamil Nadu," he said and told the audience, "you know whom I am talking about."

When the people responded loudly, he said,"right, the recounting Minister," without directly naming the former Union Finance Minister.

Chidambaram, now a Rajya Sabha MP, won the 2009 Lok Sabha election from Sivaganga constituency in Tamil Nadu by a slender margin of 3,354 votes after a see-saw battle.

Confusion had prevailed then as election officials delayed the declaration of the result due to a dispute in the counting of votes in respect of the final round.

Chidambaram, then Home Minister, was declared elected later after the votes were tallied again vis-a-vis the final round.

Modi had made the same "recounting Minister" remark during his 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign.

Continuing his attack on Chidambaram, Modi said described him as "the man who thinks all the knowledge in the world resides only in his brain.

In his typical arrogance, he says why is the middle class so worried about price rise when they buy such expensive ice cream and mineral water."

"Mr recounting minister, the middle class does not need the taunt by you and Congress. They have rejected you and will continue to do so."

Chidambaram, highly critical of the Modi government, had days ago targeted it on the row over the "National Sample Survey Organisation's data on high unemployment," (as per the report of a business daily) and related developments.

Taking forward his attack against the Congress, Modi said the good work of the NDA government has made some people very unhappy.

"Those who thought power was their divine right, those who thought only they are bound to rule are disturbed. Because here is a government that is working. Their unhappiness has turned into desperation and abuse," the Prime Minister said.

Taking potshots at the opposition for blaming him at the drop of a hat, he said their answer for any question posed to them targeted him.

Be it "agriculture or MSME," the answer will invariably be "Modi, Modi, Modi."

He said it was the NDA government which took the initiative to shut fake companies,remove fake beneficiaries and ensure that middlemen no more roamed the corridors of power.

Without naming anyone, he said that only in the services or products like mobile recharge or ice creams, was the idea of a "family pack" seen. But now it applied for bail too.

"Those who thought they could never be questioned, who lorded over the nation are now having to give an account for the loot. This is what a change in India today."

Mocking at the grand opposition against his party,he said "our friends in the opposition are very funny."

Though the opposition called his government a failure and claimed it did nothing for the people and that he would be badly defeated, "still they have to form a big alliance to defeat Modi."

However, "what is the agenda of the so called alliance, what are the issues they fight for, nobody knows. Because their guns are only aimed at me. This is 'maha milavat, or adulteration."

He asked if the people of Tamil Nadu and the rest of the country would ever accept an adulterated product? "Never," he said.

The people of Tamil Nadu and the entire nation are seeing through this game, Modi said.

The "Mahamilvat" or "adulterated alliance" is a club of rich people trying to promote their dynasties. They neither understand poverty nor have a vision to serve the poor, he said.

"The opposition is good at one thing and that is to spread panic. Time and again they have tried to mislead farmers, workers and youngsters."

While the opposition talked of a "poorly thought out loan waiver" only during election, his government took the step of announcing Rs 6,000 assistance annually to farmers to support them, he said.