Modi campaigns in Himachal, calls PM 'Maun Mohan Singh'

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Monday mocked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, describing him as 'Maun (Silent) Mohan Singh'.

Addressing a rally in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, Modi said, "On Sunday, during his Himachal Pradesh visit, Dr 'Maunmohan' Singh came, and the news on Monday is that he broke his silence in Himachal!

Appealing to the people of the state to vote the Bharatiya Janata Party back to power, Modi said, "I pray to the people of Himachal Pradesh to choose the BJP, and I promise as much development here as in Gujarat."

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"Himachal Pradesh too can show the same development that Gujarat has shown," he added.

Modi had earlier also attacked Dr Singh over the issue of being a helpless prime minister who had no answers to any issues.

"The country's prime minister cannot give a reply to this. Anyway, he is silent. If nobody speaks at all, then what reply can you get from such a person?" he said.

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While taking potshots at the government on the issue of corruption, Modi also took a direct dig at Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra's alleged involvement in illegal land deals.

"Now, I am a happy person. Who have I to loot for? I don't even have a son-in-law. My dear brothers, you should also be careful of sons-in-law. The entire institution of sons-in-law will soon be blacklisted," said Modi sarcastically.

The Himachal Pradesh legislative assembly consists of 68 seats, and Bharatiya Janata Party won 42 in the previous election.

The single-phase election in Himachal Pradesh will take place on November 4 while counting of votes is scheduled on December 20.

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