Modi's 'daamad' remark in California stings Congress

The Congress on Monday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his barbs at the party in the US, saying they were “ashamed” of his behaviour on foreign soil.

“Listening to the prime minister’s speech I am ashamed. Indian PM after going to California is making fun of his countrymen and is only praising himself,” Congress leader Rashid Alvi said.

In a veiled attack on the corruption during United Progressive Alliance regime and a barb at the Congress president’s son-in-law Robert Vadra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday deprecated the culture of graft in the country and said he has provided graft-free governance.

He said corruption during the previous government’s time had triggered anger among people.

“In our country it doesn’t take much for allegations to come up against politicians... Someone made 50 crores, someone’s son made 250 crores, (someone’s) daughter made 500 crores, (someone’s) damaad (son-in-law) made 1000 crores...” he said addressing the Indian community at the packed SAP Centre in San Jose, California.

Switching on to a question answer mode, he asked the audience “Is the country not disappointed?” The people replied “yes”.

“Is there not anger against corruption,” he asked. “Yes,” people shouted. Modi then asked, “I am standing before you. Tell me if there is any allegation against me.” “No,” people shouted.

He then told the crowd that he is giving every minute of his life in the service of the nation and he would live and die for the country.

Countering Modi, Congress said Prime Minister Modi needs "very serious counselling" and accusing him of dragging the political narrative to the "gutter level" in his US tour.

Hitting back hard, Congress senior spokesman Anand Sharma also sought an independent inquiry into organisation of public events for the prime minister during his foreign tours and the source "millions of dollars" required for hosting them.

Referring to the prime minister getting emotional and breaking down while recalling events about his mother, he said "true to his characteristic style, the prime minister once again engaged in theatrics, emotion and drama, making boastful claims".

Sharma raising questions about Modi's statements that he sold tea as a child and that his mother became an housemaid to look after him. These claims about himself were "not correct", he said, adding in his childhood Modi used to manage the counter in his uncle's canteen.

Sharma said that Modi considered himself a powerful leader but wondered why he did not ensure that his mother stayed with him.

"Is it not the duty of a son to look after the well-being of his mother," he said recalling that Modi was chief minister of Gujarat for 12 years and said then and even now he has not brought her to his home.

He did not also bring her to his swearing-in ceremony as prime minister in New Delhi last year, Sharma added.

"The prime minister is misusing his official visits abroad and we demand an independent inquiry (into the rallies)... with 100s of millions of dollars spent in their organisation with activists of the RSS and others going months ahead for preparations", he remarked.