Modi terms Rahul's 'bhagidar' remark as 'award'

Apparently seeking to turn the tables on Congress president Rahul Gandhi over his 'bhagidar' remark during the debate on the no-confidence motion in Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that he did not consider it an ''allegation'' but an ''award''.

Speaking at a function here, Modi, while referring to Rahul's remarks, said that he was indeed a 'bhagidar' (being involved) in problems and difficulties of the farmers, jawans, labourers and poor people.

''Main bhagidar hoon desh ke dukha ka, mehnatkash mazdooron ka, jawanon ke junoon ka, sookhe se peedit kisano ka, garib parivaron ka jo ilaj ke liye jameen bechte hain,'' (I am proud to share the plight of hard-working labourers, the jawans who brave the cold in Kargil and heat in deserts, drought-hit farmers and the poor families who have to sell land for medical treatment), Modi said.

''For me, it is not an allegation but an award,'' he added.

The prime minister also sought to drive home the message that the Congress president did not have the capability to understand the plight of the poor people as he is born with a silver spoon.

''I am proud of being born to a poor mother...I have seen poverty from very close....I have suffered,'' the prime minister remarked.

Earlier Modi laid the foundation stone for several projects here and also interacted with the beneficiaries of the Prime Minister Housing Scheme (Urban).