Union minister for commerce and industry Anand Sharma today challenged Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to contest from Bihar or UP to prove that he has a pan-India acceptance. Addressing a news conference here this noon, Mr Sharma said that if Mr Modi thinks that his clout has increased in national politics then he should contest from outside Gujarat and get elected. He can think of contesting from Bihar or UP. ‘In case of Bihar, he will have to take into account the possible response of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar,’ he said. Mr Sharma was referring to Mr Modi’s recent comment that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi can contest from Italy too. He said neither Sonia Gandhi nor Rahul are nominated to parliament. Both are elected by the people with massive votes to the Lok Sabha.
He said Rahul has never said that he wanted to be a prime minister but has been working among the masses. ‘Mr Modi’s comment that Rahul could contest from out of India shows that Gujarat Chief Minister has either panicked or he has lost balance of mind,’ he said. UNI