Modi wrong to drag our son's name into politics: Kargil hero's family

Trying to strike an emotional cord with the people in Himachal Pradesh, Narendra Modi today repeatedly chanted the famous quote of martyr Vikram Batra “Ye Dil Mange More” in his home town, while he was speaking there. “I want 300 lotuses (seats), including all the four in Himachal to make a strong government at the Centre and pull the country out from this ditch and put it back on track,” the Gujarat chief minister said. [caption id=“attachment_1501685” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Narendra Modi at a rally in Himachal Pradesh. PTI[/caption] Batra, who fought the 1999 Kargil war, was awarded the Param Vir Chakra (PVC), the highest military honour, posthumously. He also referred to Major Somnath Sharma, the first PVC recipient, and lauded the sacrifices made by soldiers from the state. Batra’s mother is contesting from the same constituency, but on an AAP ticket. However Batra’s father, GL Batra said it was incorrect to drag the martyr’s name into politics. NDTV reported Captain Batra’s family saying “If he feels so indebted to martyrs he must withdraw his party’s candidate against Mrs Batra.” Meenakshi Lekhi retorting to the family’s criticism said, “The mother should have joined the BJP instead of joining AAP. The word’s of a martyr are to be respected. She has no copyright over the term and they can be used by everyone.” Meanwhile, amid escalating war of words, Modi alleged that Congress was a “dhokebaaz” (fraud) party and described its manifesto as “dhokapatra”. “I do not like saying it but Congress is a party that betrays people. It is a “dhokebaaz” party. See their 2009 manifesto. It is not a manifesto but a ‘dhokapatra’,” he said at an election rally here. Referring to price rise, BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate said, “Congress had promised in its 2009 manifesto that it will bring down prices within 100 days. So is it not a ‘dhokapatra’ ?” Modi said the people may forgive a mistake but they do not spare a cheat. “If you cheat people, they will not forgive you. They may forgive a mistake but not a cheat.” Asking people to give BJP a chance at the Centre, he said, “You have given 60 years to the ruler (Congress), now give me 60 days to serve you. The country does not need a ruler, it needs a “sevak” (servant). “I want to serve the people as a servant for which I want your blessings.” With PTI inputs