BHOPAL, MADHYA PRADESH: Congress leader Digvijaya Singh's interaction with an apparent BJP supporter took a hilarious turn during one of his campaign rallies on Monday.
The senior politician, who is facing Pragya Singh Thakur, accused in the 2008 Malegaon blasts case, was taking on the BJP over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's promise to get back black money stashed abroad and deposit Rs. 15 lakh in every voter's account.
"If you believe Modi ji lied about 15 lakh, raise your hand," said Digvijya Singh said at the rally in Bhopal. Several people in the front row raised their hands.
"Now those who think Modi-ji was telling the truth about Rs. 15 lakh, and it has come, raise your hand," the 72-year-old said.
Seeing a lone hand raised at the back row, he said, "Has the money come into your account then? Come here son. Come on the stage. We will give you a citizens' felicitation, as you have received Rs. 15 lakh."
As a young man in pink shirt swaggered onto the stage, smiling, Mr Singh repeated his question, "Modi-ji has sent 15 lakh into your account? Tell us then".
The young man spoke into the mike, visibly pleased to address the gathering. "Modi ji executed a surgical strike on terrorists and killed them!" he began, only to be cut off by the laughter of Mr Singh and a few leaders on stage.
"Forget the surgical strike. Have you received Rs. 15 lakh or not?" Mr Singh demanded. The young man was then ushered off.
Narendra Modi's promise to bring back black money from abroad to India and deposit Rs. 15 lakh to every citizen's bank account has provided the opposition parties with ammo to target the government.
Among the first to get off the mark was Bihar leader Lalu Yadav, who said given his large family, he would become a rich man if the Prime Minister fulfilled his promise and questioned why the black money wasn't back yet.
Bhopal votes on May 12 in the sixth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.
Mr Singh is contesting the seat after a dare from Chief Minister Kamal Nath to attempt the toughest battle in the state. Bhopal has been voting for the BJP for three decades. Currently it is held by the BJP's Alok Sanjar.
Still, the BJP move to field Pragya Thakur is seen as sign that the party is attempting to capture votes through polarization. After three terms of BJP rule, Madhya Pradesh had opted for the Congress in last year's assembly election.
Counting of votes for the general elections will take place on May 23. |
