AMN / NEW DELHI
Congress party today suspended Mani Shankar Aiyar from the primary membership of party. Aiyer called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “neech aadmi”. His remarks received a swift riposte from the Prime Minister, who said at an election rally in Gujarat, “They can call me neech(low), but I will keep doing oonche (high) work.” Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi asked Mr Aiyar to apologise to the Prime Minister.
With voting in Gujarat on Saturday, the Congress has wasted no time in condemning Mr Aiyar’s comments. “BJP and PM routinely use filthy language to attack the Congress party. The Congress has a different culture and heritage. I do not appreciate the tone and language used by Mr Mani Shankar Aiyar to address the PM. Both the Congress and I expect him to apologise for what he said,” Rahul Gandhi said.
“This is the Congress leadership’s Gandhian philosophy and a sense of respect towards the opposition,” Congress spokesperson Rajdeep Surjewala tweeted, wondering if PM Modi would have “courage to do something similar”.
The Congress, PM Modi said as campaigning ended for the first phase of assembly elections, has insulted his home state Gujarat. “Gujarat will reply,” he said, also stating, “Yes, I am from the poor section of society and will spend every moment of my life working for the poor, Dalits, Tribals and OBC communities. They can keep their language, we will do our work.”
The Prime Minister described Mr Aiyar’s comment as an example of the Congress’ “Mughal values that teach to demean castes and talk about upper and lower castes.”
BJP chief Amit Shah, also campaigning in Gujarat today, said, “Yamraj, Maut Ka Saudagar, Ravan, Gandi Nali Ka Keeda, Monkey, Rabies Victim, Virus, Bhasmasur, Gangu Teli, Goon. These are some words or phrases the Congress has used for PM Modi in the past. Not much has changed. We wish them well. We will continue to serve 125 crore Indians.”
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