New Delhi: BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on Tuesday set off a row by repeatedly chanting the famous quote of Kargil martyr Vikram Batra’s “Yeh Dil Mange More” in his home town to seek 300 seats in the Lok Sabha polls.
“A son of this soil of Himachal Captain Vikram Batra had sacrificed his life and he had said ‘Yeh Dil maange more’ (This heart wants more). I also say ‘Yeh Dil maange more’. We want all the four Lok Sabha seats from Himachal Pradesh and 300 lotuses from India,” Mr Modi said.
Batra’s father G.L. Batra said his son should not be dragged into politics. “My wife Kamal Kanta Batra is contesting from Hamirpur as AAP candidate but we have never used our son’s name,” Mr Batra said.
Referring to Modi's concern for martyrs and ex-servicemen, he said, “If Modi is concerned about Vikram and other martyrs, and feels indebted to them, he should withdraw the BJP candidate Anurag Thakur.”
The Congress attacked Mr Modi, saying that the martyr’s name should not be used for “petty political purposes.” Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, “It has become Mr Modi’s habit to denigrate everybody, including memories of a martyr.”
Mr Modi later during his 3D rally claimed that he would rather “quit politics rather than even thinking about disrespecting such citizens.” BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi, when asked about the martyr’s mother asking withdrawal of the candidate against her, said she should have the joined the BJP before contesting against party leader Anurag Thakur.
An emotional Kamal Kanta clarified that they never approached BJP seeking ticket for contesting the polls. “The Aam Aadmi Party honoured us by fielding me. But we have never used Vikram’s name or slogan in the election campaign as he belongs to the entire nation and wonder how Narendra Modi has used his name,” she said.
