Taunted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “Murkhon ka Sardar”, Rahul Gandhi on Thursday asked voters to decide for themselves how to judge a leader who had asked Indians to bang the “thali” and shine their mobile phone torchlight when they were grappling with the Covid pandemic.

Addressing three public rallies in Rajasthan, Rahul confronted the Prime Minister with bare facts. He said: “When the people were dying because of an oxygen crisis and lack of treatment, Modi asked them to bang the thali. 'Thali bajao, taali bajao… Switch on the mobile phone light'… what does this mean?" the Congress leader asked, as the crowd cheered.

Rahul continued: “Have you in these past 10 years seen Modi with a farmer, a labourer or holding the hand of a small shopkeeper? You won't. He travels by aircraft worth Rs 12,000 crore and a vehicle worth Rs 12 crore. He wears new clothes every day and you can see him in a photo with Adani, standing as you do with a friend. You see him going to America and hugging their President. He wrote off loans worth Rs 14.50 lakh crore of the industrialists.”

The Prime Minister thinks farmers, the unemployed youth and labourers are "murkh" (fools), Rahul said, arguing that Modi worked only for the rich while making many promises to seek the votes of the poor.

“We now hear about Modi’s guarantee. He promised Rs 15 lakh in every account? Mil gaye? Kabhi nahin milenge (You got it? You will never get it). Has black money been wiped out? His guarantees are for Adani; he will get whatever he wants. Modi made him the second richest man in the world from 609th on the global list.”

Modi had not only called Rahul a “Murkhon ka Sardar” a couple of days ago, he told a rally in Rajasthan on Wednesday: “The Congress people are worried, what if the locker gets opened? The locker, which has money and gold looted from the people, will be opened. You tell me, should these people be punished or not? Kamal ke nishan par aise button dabao, aise button dabao ki unki saza pakki ho jaye. Jaise unko fansi de rahe ho na, aise button dabao (Press the button on the lotus to confirm their punishment. Press it like you are hanging them.)”

The Prime Minister’s call to voters to act in the spirit of a hangman was widely criticised. But Modi has not just been describing his opponents as thieves without commenting on corruption charges against BJP leaders, he has also tried to whip up communal sentiments over the beheading of a tailor in Udaipur who was killed last year by two Muslim men, allegedly over a social media post connected to remarks derogatory to Prophet Mohammad. Modi has also been telling voters they could not celebrate festivals because of rioters, terrorists and curfews.

The Congress has, however, stayed focused on the mundane issues that affect the common man. While chief minister Ashok Gehlot reeled off his achievements – schools, colleges, public health centres, roads, bridges, irrigation projects, free ration and health insurance -- Rahul spoke of the welfare agenda and the Congress’s guarantees, besides explaining Modi’s politics and his alleged nexus with Adani. He also talked about the caste census and injustice to OBCs.

The Congress leadership has launched a big last-minute push in Rajasthan after inputs about a disoriented campaign and the perception of differences between Gehlot and Sachin Pilot affecting voter sentiment. General secretary in charge of organisation K.C. Venugopal was sent to Jaipur on Wednesday to address concerns and plug loopholes. He held a meeting with Gehlot and Pilot.

Rahul reached the state on Thursday morning and ensured that Gehlot and Pilot were seen together. He told the media: “We are not only seen together, we are one and will remain united. We are going to sweep the election.”

At all the three meetings in Ganganagar, Churu and Hanumangarh, both Gehlot and Pilot remained on the stage with Rahul. The purpose was to send a message of unity.

While Rahul will spend the next three days in Rajasthan, Priyanka and party president Mallikarjun Kharge are also expected to address meetings over the week before campaigning ends on November 23. The Congress hopes to bolster its chances by heightening the campaign as reports suggest a close competition in many constituencies.