Flame is the brightest before it goes out, retorts Rajnath Singh after PM's attack

New Delhi: Hitting back at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his unusual offensive against the main Opposition in Parliament, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Rajnath Singh said the PM's attack was a good sign because "the flame is the brightest before it goes out".

"The prime minister has always blamed us for mudslinging. But after nine years the PM is finally succumbing and doing the same," Rajnath said. Known for his quiet demeanour, PM Manmohan on Wednesday unleashed scathing attacks on the BJP on all fronts. He did not spare Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi either, remarking, "jo garajte hain, woh baraste nahi (Barking dogs seldom bite)".

"The BJP's India Shining campaign was a disaster. Economic growth was higher under the UPA regime than under the NDA. Growth under the UPA was 3.5 per cent as compared to the NDA's 2.9 per cent per year," PM said, to much desk-thumping among the UPA leaders. "The NDA may be defeated again, given their arrogance," he warned, reminding the main opposition party that it had fielded its 'Iron Man' - LK Advani - in 2004 and had lost despite their strong electoral campaign.

Known for his quiet demeanour, PM Manmohan on Wednesday unleashed scathing attacks on the BJP on all fronts.

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