PM Modi hits out at Congress in Punjab over Channi's 'UP, Bihar, Delhi bhaiya' remark

"What the Congress Chief Minister said here, on which the family from Delhi was clapping, the entire country has seen," Modi said addressing a rally ahead of Sunday voting.

"Where was saint Ravidas born? In Uttar Pradesh, in Varanasi. Will you throw out saint Ravidas from Punjab? Where was Guru Govind Singh born? In Patna Sahib, in Bihar. Will you throw Guru Govind Singh out of Punjab? People of such a divisive mentality should not be allowed to rule Punjab even for one moment," he added.

In a video which was widely circulated, Channi, standing beside Congress top leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, said during a roadshow, "Priyanka Gandhi is Punjab's daughter-in-law, she is the bahu of Punjabis. Bhaiyas from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi cannot come here and rule. We will not allow UP bhaiyas to stray into Punjab."

Besides the Congress, Modi has also hit out at his other opponent Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is one of the strongest contenders in this year's election.

Without taking the name of AAP or its chief Arvind Kejriwal, the Prime Minister said, "When pollution increases in Delhi, they (AAP) blame the farmers of Punjab. When they come to Punjab, they hug the farmers of the state. Will this scam work?"

Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is fighting the elections with former Congress veteran and ex-Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh's newly formed party, Punjab Lok Congress.

The BJP, which rules the Centre, faced stiff protests from the farmers, whose large part was from Punjab, over the contentious farm laws, which were withdrawn by Modi late last year.