Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday accused the Congress of "insulting" the labour of 60,000 workers and the country's "sentiments and aspirations" by boycotting the inauguration of the new Parliament building.
He was addressing a rally at Ajmer in poll-bound Rajasthan to mark nine years of his government where he launched a scathing attack on the Congress.
Modi, who had avoided slamming the Opposition in his address during the inauguration of the new Parliament building on Sunday, went all out once again presenting himself as a victim, a "poor man's son" whom the "dynast" party can't tolerate.
"Three days back, India got a new Parliament. You must have seen it on TV. Didn't you feel proud?" Modi asked before slamming the Congress and other parties for boycotting the inauguration.
"But the Congress and some like-minded parties resorted to political mud-slinging over this moment of national pride. The Congress has insulted the labour of 60,000 workers and the country's sentiments and aspirations," he said, stressing that "Congres ne garibon ke pasine ko laath maara".
During the inauguration of the building, Modi had claimed that its construction had provided jobs to 60,000 labourers and he had felicitated some of them.
At the rally, Modi resorted to what he repeatedly does, particularly during elections — draw sympathy by presenting himself as a poor man's son who is a victim of a feudal family-run Congress.
"They (Congress) are angry, how the son of a poor man is able to stand before their ego? They are angry, why the son of a poor is not allowing their arbitrariness? Why is he raising questions over their corruption and dynasty?" he said.
The Opposition had accused Modi of turning the inauguration of the Parliament building into his coronation ceremony like an emperor. He appeared to be countering that notion by playing the "son of a poor man" card.
This was Modi's first rally as part of the monthlong outreach programme announced by the BJP to mark nine years of his government, aimed to prepare for next year's Lok Sabha polls. He is likely to address many more rallies across the country during this outreach programme.
Rajasthan, along with three other key states, is due for polls towards the end of this year and Modi focussed on attacking the Congress, the ruling party in the state and also the principal challenger nationally.
Modi accused the Congress of looting every section of the people and "sucking the country's blood" while claiming that his government has been devoted to "serving the poor".
"The world is talking about India. Experts across the globe say India is very close to ending extreme poverty," he said, claiming big achievements in all sectors.
He sought to seek another term for himself, stressing that he will continue to work for the "bright future of his family of 140-crore countrymen".
"You have seen me working tirelessly for the past nine years. My only family are 140 crore countrymen. They are my God and I will continue to work for their bright future," he said.
Drawing attention to the Rajasthan polls, he reminded the people that they had elected the Congress in the last election and how it had failed them.
Seeking to counter the Congress's poll guarantees, he said that people shouldn't trust the party.
"The Congress has a new formula of guarantees. But are they fulfilling their guarantees?" Modi asked, accusing the party's government in the state of not fulfilling the promises it had made to the people. "Their guarantees will leave the country bankrupt," he added.
