Jairam writes to Modi, slams him for ‘bizarre, blatant’ lies

Union Rural Development minister Jairam Ramesh on Monday wrote to BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi alleging that he was making “bizarre” accusations against him and spreading “blatant lies”.

According to Ramesh, during a rally at Chikmagalur on April 13, Modi accused him of saying India was the “dirtiest and laziest country in the world” during foreign visits. Quoting Modi’s remarks against him, Ramesh has in his letter has said, “I know you make outrageous statements. However, even by your own standards, your accusation against me is bizarre. I have never said what you attribute to me.”

Ramesh goes on to clarify that he had instead said “India deserves a Nobel Prize for filth”, a statement he says he made in Delhi itself four years ago and a view he continues to hold. “You are also quoted as saying that you had suggested to me to start packaging institutions in Chikmagalur to promote sale of coffee globally but that I did not put it in place. Again this is a blatant lie — I have never received any suggestion from you along the lines you suggest.”