Rahul Gandhi promises'surprise' in Gujarat Assembly polls

Gandhi said he wants to bring a change by ending the culture of personal attacks.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent comments during Gujarat election campaign, Rahul Gandhi, in an exclusive interview to Network18, said "Manmohan Singh dedicated his entire life to the country. But the way Modiji spoke is not acceptable. He should have apologised, that is his decision. But we want to bring about this change."

Speaking further on the issue of personal attacks, Gandhi told the news channel: "BJP and Narendra Modi do this. We feel bad."

On the Gujarat Assembly polls, Gandhi said: "We will do very well. We will surprise you."

The second phase of Gujarat polls will be held on Thursday.

Within days after the verbal tussle, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his immediate predecessor Dr. Manmohan Singh shook hands and showed courtesy as they met during an event of 16th anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack.

The courtesy shown by Modi and Manmohan has received immense significance as the two attacked each other vehemently during the Gujarat campaigns days ago.

Manmohan on Monday attacked current PM Narendra Modi and accused him of spreading "falsehood and canards" in a bid to win the Gujarat Assembly polls.

He asked Modi to 'apologise' to the nation.

In a statement released by the ex-PM, he has denied all allegations made by Modi that he and others were invited to a dinner at Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's residence with Pakistani diplomats and discussed the Gujarat election.

"I am deeply pained and anguished by the falsehood and canards being spread to score political points in a lost cause by none less than Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi," Manmohan said in his statement.

Sadly and regrettably, Modi is setting a dangerous precedent by his insatiable desire to tarnish every Constitutional office including that of a former Prime Minister and Army Chief," Singh said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's allegation during his Gujarat poll campaign on Sunday -- that Pakistan was trying to meddle in Gujarat elections -- has given rise to a lot of debate, according to media reports on Monday.

PM Modi raised the issue of the dinner thrown by Mani Shankar Aiyar and suggested that the Congress was conspiring with Pakistani leaders to prevent the BJP from winning the election in Gujarat, where the party has been in power for 22 years, media reported.