Don't need sermons from Modi on party culture: Congress

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's suggestion to the Congress to give up "Congress culture" sparked off a war of words with the Opposition making a counter attack asking the BJP to end its policy of divide and rule.

"Those who are giving sermons on the centuries-old culture of the historic Congress party, should mukt (free) BJP from the culture of divide & rule, muzzling democracy, disregarding institutional propriety, disrespecting elders and jumlaabaazi to deceive people," senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel said.

Modi, in a television interview, had suggested that the Congress give up its culture of casteism, dynasty, corruption, exploitation and treachery to hold on to power. He said his slogan of "Congress-mukt Bharat" was targetted at the culture of favouritism and not at a particular organisation.    

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said the Prime Minister was obsessed with erasing the idea of Congress. "Which aspect of Congress culture does the Prime Minister want to eliminate? Is it inclusiveness or fraternity or the ability of keeping the country united," he asked.

Counter to Modi

Singhvi skipped Modi's reference to casteism and dynastic politics and, instead, wondered whether the Prime Minister wanted to erase Aadhaar, MGNREGA, GST, RTI or Lok Pal.

The Congress spokesperson said he was surprised that the prime minister did not talk about eliminating communal disharmony and divisiveness.