Modi targets Sonia, says will write in Italian

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday had a dig at UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on price rise saying he would now write a letter in Italian to draw Centre's attention towards the issue.

"I have written number of letters to Central Government on the issue of price rise. I have written letters in the language they can understand urging them to take steps to do something about the rising prices of food items," Modi said.

"But, I think that they have no empathy for the poor people and it seems that they are not willing to take steps to control rising prices," he said, adding, "Now, I need to write a letter in Italian."

Modi was speaking at a Garib Kalyan Mela in Patan district.

"They (Centre) had organised a meeting on the issue of price rise. But have now postponed it saying that they have some other work. I don't understand what work is more important than addressing the issue of price rise," Modi said.

"Keeping poor people hungry in this manner will lead to nemesis of the Central government," Modi said.

Garib Kalyan Mela is brainchild of Modi to provide direct benefit of schemes meant for poor without involving middlemen.

"Former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi had said that if Central government release one rupee for poor, only 10 paise reaches them. By organising such melas I have tried to solve this problem," Modi said.