SRP is after me, says CM

Modi's oratorical skills have once more taken an edge over his opponents on Tuesday when he made a pun stating that the SRP is behind him, actually taking a dig at the Congress president Sonia and her two kids, Rahul and Priyanka, and not what the term actually stands for - the State Reserve Police!

SRP is better known in Gujarat as the force which manages to quell all rebellious tides, be it the riots, other forms of violence or even nabbing the culprits.

Taking the war of words between him and Gandhi family a step further, Modi said, "The SRP is running after me since the past one and half months." The statement made in the packed public meeting at Vasna, a BJP bastion, left the audience in peals and applauding.

"Can you imagine the plight of a person who has the SRP on his tail? They can make life really painful…," said Modi, adding in the same tone, "Now think what happens when SRP, meaning 'Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka' make elaborate plans and take turns to get at Modi, turn after turn, every morning!" Terming the war of words between him and Manmohan Singh as a competition between an Olympic-level player and county-level player, Modi questioned, "Is it fair on part of an Olympic-level player to compete against a county-level player?"

Taking another dig at Singh, the CM said: "Our country's prime minister is taking on a tiny state of Gujarat and its equally tiny 'kind, generous, sober, and gentle' chief minister. Why can't they let the 'small kids' play?" Modi asked.

Modi also addressed two public meetings in Vadodara on Tuesday.  Despite sweltering heat, a large number of people gathered to hear Modi. At the first meeting at Savli taluka, Modi said, “The country wants an elected prime minister and not one nominated by any group.” He further said that the election should be conducted under a democratic system rather than “selection by dynasty” system.