Narendra Modi's speech not original, copied from ex-PM Chandrasekhar: Manish Tewari

Reacting to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s speech at a rally in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, Information and Broadcasting Minster Manish Tewari said on Thursday that Modi’s speech was not original, and was a rehash of a speech given by former Prime Minister Chandrasekhar Singh in 1991

“The most important thing to notice is that the Gujarat chief minister’s speech is not an original one. After 23 years, Gujarat’s chief minister is saying the same thing which Chandrasekharji had said in 1991,” said Tewari

“Many people remember politics and speeches,” he said

“I recall Chandrasekharji gave the slogan, which now Gujarat’s chief minister is repeating. I think you should at least have an original rhetoric rather than copied ones,” said Tewari

He further said that people had not forgotten what happened during the Godhra riots of 2002

“We have not forgotten what happened in 2002 in the Godhra riots,” he said

He also said that the Congress had given great ministers to the country

“Many people have a dream in the opposition, to get a Congress-free country, whereas the Congress has actually given some great ministers to our country,

In the speech, Modi had said to the people of Uttar Pradesh, “You give me 60 months and I will give you a life of peace. I have come here to make this promise.

He also said that the Congress continues to mock the poor and could not tolerate a one time seller of tea becoming the nation's prime minister

He had further said that it was the poor who had to suffer and die due to the ignorance of the government and that he Congress considered Scheduled Castes important only while elections.