Rahul an International Leader, Can Contest In Italy Too: Modi

Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi had last week made the comment when he was asked whether the forthcoming election in Gujarat will be a "Modi Vs Rahul" battle. He had said comparison cannot be made as Rahul is Congress's national leader while Modi is regional leader of Gujarat.

Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh had also described Modi as a regional leader and Rahul a national one.

Modi's birthday was celebrated by the BJP in Bihar with a state minister from the party cutting a cake at its office in Patna.

Animal husbandry and fisheries minister Giriraj Singh cut a 62-kg cake during the occasion celebrated under the banner of the Narendra Modi Fans Association (NMFA). Singh has publicly backed Modi's candidature as the BJP's prime ministerial candidate.

Alleging that the UPA government is deceiving people, Modi criticised the Manmohan Singh government for not fulfilling promises made in Congress election manifesto in 2004.

"In 2004, Congress in its manifesto had promised to give job to one crore youths but according to a report issued by the Government of India, Gujarat is the leader in giving jobs with 72 percent of share," Modi said addressing a large gathering of youths.