Rajiv Gandhi used warship INS Viraat as ‘personal taxi’ to go on holiday: PM Modi at Ramlila Maidan

Intensifying his attack against Rajiv Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday claimed that the former prime minister used warship INS Virat as ‘private taxi’ for holidaying. PM Modi, while addressing a huge gather at iconic Ramlila Maidan in the national capital, also asserted that even Navy personnel were put on service of Rajiv Gandhi and his family while they were vacationing at an island.  

"At the time when, INS Virat was positioned for protection of maritime boundaries, it was sent to take Rajiv Gandhi and his family to an island for their holiday. Even his in-laws were onboard INS Virat. Was it not a compromise of national security?" PM Modi said.

#WATCH PM Modi in Delhi: At the time when, INS Virat was positioned for protection of maritime boundaries, it was sent to take Rajiv Gandhi and his family to an island for their holiday. Even his in-laws were onboard INS Virat. Was it not a compromise of national security? pic.twitter.com/3RXdtJHF2m

— ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2019

The prime minister, who said at that time INS Virat was positioned for protection of maritime boundaries, went on to claim that even Navy personnel were put on service of Rajiv Gandhi and his family while they were vacationing at the island.

"INS Virat was also stationed at the island for 10 days during that time," he said. 

PM Modi addressing a public rally in Delhi: Even Navy personnel were put on service of Rajiv Gandhi and his family while they were vacationing at the island. INS Virat was also stationed at the island for 10 days during that time. https://t.co/UbZH1pkYYV

— ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2019

Taking a dig at Delhi Chief Minister-led Aam Aadmi Party, PM Modi said that that people had come to change country, but they themselves changed. He even he used term 'nakampanthi' in reference to the AAP government for 'not allowing Centre's Ayushmaan Bharat in Delhi hospitals'.

"Nation saw 4 political cultures-naampanthi, vaampanthi, daam aur daman panthi, vikaspanthi. But Delhi saw a 5th model too-nakampanthi - the one who rejects work related to Delhi's development&fail when they try to work. They spread anarchy in Delhi&betrayed people of India.

He said the BJP has reduced pollution and traffic jam in Delhi by building eastern and western peripherals.

"Inflation was always an important poll issue, but now opposition is not able to corner government on this," he added.

The BJP began using "tukde tukde" gang to refer to students accused of raising anti-India slogans in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in 2016 and has generalised the phrase to attack those it accuses of sympathising with Maoists and separatists.