Date:09/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/09/stories/2007120960071000.htm

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Modi’s counsel to Manmohan

Manas Dasgupta

RAJKOT: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi had a piece of “advice” for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. “It is better to be at the mercy of God, than be at the mercy of Sonia Gandhi,” he said.

Addressing rallies in the Amreli, Junagadh and Rajkot districts in the Saurashtra region, including Dhari, Talala, Mangrol, Upleta and Gondal culminating in Rajkot, Mr. Modi referred to Dr. Singh’s criticism of the law and order situation in the state during his regime.

At election meetings in Surat and Rajkot on Friday, Dr. Singh had stated that only those who are in favour of the Modi government were “safe” in Gujarat, and those who were not, “only God can save them.”

Countering his arguments in a humorous manner, Mr. Modi asked his audience, “is it not better to be at the mercy of God than be at the “mercy of Sonia Gandhi?” Expectedly the audience said “yes!”

He said: “My advice to the Prime Minister is that he also should not be at the mercy of Sonia Gandhi and rather be at the mercy of God. That at least will be better for the country.”

The Congress president too was seen imitating Mr. Modi’s style, throwing questions at the audience.

Ms. Gandhi at her meetings on Saturday fired questions like, “are you happy at the state of affairs,” or “don’t you think you could be better off if only there was a more sympathetic government in the State?”