Amit Shah criticizes Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi, questions their ties to India

Bhopal: Union home minister Amit Shah on Saturday launched a blistering attack on Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, saying, "Their roots are from Italy. That’s why they can’t see positives in the country."

Addressing a rally at Junnardeo in Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh, Mr Shah said that the Gandhi siblings keep asking what developments have taken place in the country in the last nine years, whereas people across the globe are talking about India’s progress during the period.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has led India to new heights on the global stage. Everywhere, people are talking about the rapid progress the country has made during Mr Modi’s regime,” he said.

Mr Shah added: "But this brother and sister (Rahul and Priyanka) keep asking what development the country has made (in the last nine years). Obviously, they can’t see and understand the positives in India since their origin is in Italy, not in this country. Those having their origins in India will clearly understand the growth and development.”

The Union home minister said that the Congress, since independence, had created all kinds of hurdles in the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. But Mr Modi, after becoming PM, worked quietly to facilitate the construction of a grand temple in Ayodhya. The consecration of the idol deities of the temple will be done on January 22.

“Mr Gandhi used to mock the BJP by asking frequently to specify the date when the Ram temple will be constructed in Ayodhya. Now, we have declared the tithi (date). He should come to Ayodhya to have a darshan of Lord Ram,” Mr Shah said.

The Union minister said that the Congress in Madhya Pradesh was being run by the Gandhi family via former chief ministers Kamal Nath and Digvijay Singh.

Mr Nath issued directives (to the Congress in MP) to executive orders by the Gandhi family, he said, and added, "But if something goes wrong, then Mr Singh gets the slap (blame)”.

He said that infighting in Congress in Madhya Pradesh had reached such a level that the supporters of Mr Nath and Mr Singh were out to tear each other’s clothes.

“A party that is not united and does politics for a family cannot bring progress for the country,” he said.

Mr Shah said that the Modi government worked hard to combat terrorism in the country by undertaking several measures, such as outlawing PFI and conducting surgical strikes (targeting terrorists’ hideouts in Pakistan).

He also listed out the achievements of the Modi government, citing the abrogation of Article 370 and the passage of the women's reservation law in Parliament.

Mr Shah is on a three-day visit to Madhya Pradesh to review the poll strategy of the BJP for the November 17 Assembly elections.