Those habitual thieves stole Gujarati surname of Mahatma Gandhi: PM Modi's jibe at Congress; Rahul reacts

also slammed the Congress, saying it never promoted startup culture and was unable to lift their 'own startup', in an apparent jibe at Rahul Gandhi.

PM Modi on Thursday attacked the Congress, saying they did not work for the welfare of people while in power and that they also stole a Gujarati surname.

"Habitual thieves have also stolen surname of a Gujarati, Mahatma Gandhi: PM Modi taunted the Gandhi family. You may raise any number of slogans, but you will never be able to dig my grave (tum kabr nahi khod paoge)," Modi said.

He also slammed the Congress, saying it never promoted startup culture and was unable to lift their 'own startup', in an apparent jibe to Rahul Gandhi.

"The country gave opportunity to Congress's first family for decades, but they only misled people with slogans like 'garibi hatao'. They talk of digging Modi's grave, this is not merely a slogan but shows deep hatred towards me," he said

Congress thinks Prime Minister's post only belongs to 'shahi parivar', the PM added.

Rahul Gandhi later took a jibe at the PM, saying he was afraid of questions.

Congress later dubbed Modi's address in the Rajya Sabha as an "election rally speech" and said his self-obsession and his fixation on "dialogue-baazi and demagoguery" were on full display.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the PM's speech was "overflowing with abuses and assaults, distortions and dramatics, innuendos and insults."

(With PTI inputs)