Why use words like 'Shehzada', rather talk on national issues: Sushilkumar Shinde

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde criticised Narendra Modi for launching "personal attacks" on Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and his brother-in-law Robert Vadra, and said the BJP PM candidate should rather talk on national and international issues.

"They should talk on national and international issues. Why do they have to use words like 'Shehzada', talk about some one's property or keep taking about madam (Sonia Gandhi)," he told reporters on Tuesday.

Shinde was reacting to Modi's repeated reference of Rahul as "Shehzada", properties allegedly acquired by Vadra and Congress president Sonia Gandhi's alleged influence on the UPA government.

Congress had already objected to the repeated use of word "Shehzada" by Modi. Priyanka Gandhi also said her husband Robert Vadra was being targeted for political reasons and asserted that her resolve to fight back will increase the more the opponents attack.

BJP leaders, including Modi, have been targeting Vadra for allegedly acquiring large tracks of land in Haryana and Rajasthan through controversial deals.

"Such statements are not good for democracy," Shinde said.