Kharge attacks Modi

In a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday accused him of using faith for electoral gain and said "one should not do dhongbaazi (deception) for votes".

Addressing the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra flag-off rally here, Kharge alleged that Modi comes to Manipur for votes but when people were in trouble, he did not visit.

The ethnic violence in the northeastern state, which broke out in May last year, has claimed more than 180 lives and rendered thousands homeless.

"Wo samandar ke upar sair karte firte hai, aur jap karte baithte hain -- Ram Ram Ram Ram (He is seen enjoying the sea, sitting and chanting Ram Ram). 'Mukh mein Ram, bagal mein churi', don't do this with the people," the Congress president said referring to the Hindi idiom that cautions against people whose words and actions differ.

"Everybody has faith in God and remembers God, there is no doubt about that, but don't do this for votes. One should not do 'dhongbaazi' for securing votes," Kharge said.

He said one should fight for ones principles. "We fight for secularism, equality, social justice, for saving the Constitution, you also do the same. These (BJP) people mix religion with politics and incite people," Kharge said.

He said the Congress is with the people and fighting for them.