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Modi was referring to absolutist 17th century Mughal monarch Aurangzeb, and in comparing his reign to the Congress party's internal elections, he was attempting to say there is no intra-party democracy in the grand old party.
"I congratulate the Congress on their 'Aurangzeb Raj.' For us, the well-being of the people matters and 125 crore Indians are our high command," said Modi at a poll campaign rally in Gujarat.
The PM claimed it was senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar who first compared the Mughal empire's practice of primogeniture to the elevation of Rahul as Congress president after his mother.
"Mani Shankar Aiyar said that 'did elections happen during Mughal rule? After Jehangir, Shahjahan came, was any election held? After Shahjahan it was understood Aurangzeb will be the leader'. So Congress accepts it's a family party? We don't want this Aurangzeb rule," said Modi.
Aiyar however soon hit back and sought to remind Modi that unlike in Aurangzeb's time, anyone from the party is free to contest elections for the post of Congress president.
"Don't compare both, during Mughal rule it was understood that after Jehangir, Shahjahan will be the leader but here anyone is free to contest against Rahul Gandhi, it's a totally democratic process," said Aiyar.
It appears that earlier, Aiyar referred to Aurangzeb when he was asked about rebel Congress member from Maharashtra Shehzad Poonawala who last week alleged that elections within the party were "rigged". Aiyar contested Poonawalla's allegation saying anyone from the Congress could contest the party president election, reported IANS news agency.
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