NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday taunted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on eradicating poverty “with a single stroke,” calling him a “Shahi jaadugar” (royal magician) for his statement.
During a rally in Pipariya town, Madhya Pradesh, PM Modi questioned where this “royal magician” had been all these years and reminded the people that Gandhi’s grandmother, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, had given the slogan “Garibi Hatao” 50 years ago.

He stated that the country does not take Rahul Gandhi seriously and that the Congress’s statements have become a laughing stock and a joke on the poor.

“The prince of Congress has just announced something that will make you laugh. He announced that he would eliminate poverty from the country in one stroke. After all, where was this royal magician hiding for so many years? It has been 50 years since his grandmother announced to remove poverty from the country,” PM Modi said while addressing the rally.

“Before 2014, they ran the government through remote for 10 years and are saying that they have got ‘jhatke vala’ mantra, where did they get this ‘jhatke vala’ mantra from? Tell me, is this not a mockery of the poor?,” he added.
The Prime Minister also criticized the opposition INDIA bloc, pointing out that one of its constituents favors nuclear disarmament, which he believes would leave the country vulnerable. He emphasized the importance of possessing nuclear weapons for India’s protection and questioned the ability of a party that cannot strengthen itself to strengthen the nation.

“In the manifestoes of INDI alliance partners, a number of dangerous promises were made. One of its partner’s manifesto has promised nuclear disarmament of the country,” he said.
“We should have nuclear weapons to protect our country; those saying otherwise can’t protect India,” he said.

The Prime Minister further accused the Congress of spreading rumors about the Constitution and democracy being in danger as soon as a poor family’s son became Prime Minister.
He asserted that he reached his position due to the Constitution written by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, whose birth anniversary was being celebrated on the day of the rally. PM Modi claimed that while the Congress always insulted Dr. Ambedkar, the BJP government has honored him and recognized the contributions of tribal communities.