Abusing PM Modi part of Congress DNA: Nirmala Sitharaman

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke like a "pradhan sevak" during the 100th episode of 'Mann Ki Baat' and there is no politics in the radio broadcast, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Sunday, countering the Congress' criticism of the programme. Now if the Congress is "obsessed" with talking about the agenda set by its first family, it's up to the party, she said. Earlier in the day, the Congress took a swipe at Modi over his 100th 'Mann Ki Baat' radio broadcast, saying there was much fanfare in the run-up to the episode but it was "maun ki baat (silence)" on critical issues such as the border dispute with China, stock manipulation allegations against the Adani Group, "increasing" economic inequalities and the wrestlers' protest.

Hitting back, Sitharaman said, "He (Modi) talks about everything. Now if the Congress is obsessed with talking about the agenda that the first family of the party sets, it's up to the party." On Congress leaders calling Modi names, Sitharaman said "abusing" the prime minister is "part of the Congress DNA". "Despite Rahul Gandhi going around setting up 'mohabbat ka dukan', his own party's president is spewing venom. He is talking about a poisonous snake. So, you understand where Rahul is going and where his party is. Rahul is talking about something that his party doesn't believe in," she added.It is the "nature" of the Congress to abuse those it cannot defeat but people's support is with Prime Minister Modi.