Modi had accused the Congress of embezzling money meant for widows in a campaign speech in Rajasthan last week, making an oblique reference to Sonia Gandhi.
New Delhi: A comment made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last Tuesday at an election rally in Rajasthan has belatedly created a social media furore, with Congressmen leading condemnation of the remark.
In his speech last week, Modi accused the Congress of multiple scams, including in the Widow Pension Scheme, and asked “Ye Congress ki kaun si vidhwa thi jiske khate mein paisa jaata tha? (Which Congress widow got the money in her account?)”. The obvious reference was to Sonia Gandhi, who was widowed with the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in 1991.
In his scathing attack, he also accused the Congress of embezzling funds related to elderly people’s pension and students’ scholarships.
(Video source: Zee Hindustan)
However, with the words coming to prominence only over the weekend, only a couple of Congress leaders reacted, with former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah calling the remarks “a new low” for Modi.
New low by @narendramodi. His insensitive comments on opposition leaders are a blot on the chair of PM. There are many things that he has to learn from Mr. Manmohan Singh. He has insulted the whole women fraternity in his urge to target opposition.https://t.co/4rQm645URq
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) December 8, 2018
Keshav Chand Yadav, national president of the Indian Youth Congress, also called out the PM for “going low” enough to comment on widowhood.
Lies,False propaganda and going low so much that a PM has the courage to comment on widowhood,but we shouldn’t be so shocked because it is in the blood of BJP. If @narendramodi has the courage then why not have a press conference on #RafaleScam soon ?https://t.co/prMVgy0TaC
— Keshav Chand Yadav (@keshavyadaviyc) December 8, 2018
The rest of the party brass chose to remain mum, but Modi’s comments also drew the ire of many columnists, commentators and even common people.
Interestingly, after making this remark just a few days ago, Prime Minister Modi wished Sonia Gandhi on her birthday Saturday. His official account tweeted: “I pray for her long and healthy life.”
Best wishes to Smt. Sonia Gandhi Ji on her birthday. I pray for her long and healthy life.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 9, 2018
Meanwhile, Congress president and Sonia’s son Rahul Gandhi launched a counter-attack against Modi Sunday by sharing a video in which the PM is shown as making repeated references to Gandhi family members in a medley of his speeches.
Also read: Just like UP and Gujarat, Narendra Modi gives last-minute push to Rajasthan campaign
This is a direct response to Modi, who had mocked Rahul Gandhi by saying that he keeps repeating things like a stuck gramophone.
यह मनोरंजक वीडियो श्री 36 द्वारा प्रस्तुत किया गया है! मुझे आशा है कि आप इसे देखकर आनंद लेंगे! कृपया इसे अपने परिवार और दोस्तों के साथ SHARE करें ताकि वे भी इसका आनंद उठा सकें। pic.twitter.com/UQkolZw1Eo
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 9, 2018
A previous version of this report displayed a 2016 tweet from PM Narendra Modi wishing Sonia Gandhi on her birthday. It has been updated to reflect the most recent tweet. The error is regretted.
Prof PK Sharma,Freelance Journalist,Barnala (Punjab)
Ironic indeed !
It appears that the devotees of Lord Rama are not true and staunch
in their dedication and devotion towards their Lord !
Why they continued sleeping for almost more than four and a half years ?
Did not they forget their Lord betraying him as well as his faith all these
years ?
Amusingly, Lord Rama will also not come to their rescue now because
HE knows very well that devotees are playing “politics” not only with
the innocent masses of India but with Him too ! Why did not Ram
Bhakats jolt NaMo soon after he assumed Prime Minister’s office to initiate
steps for the construction of Marvellous Lord Ram Temple at Ayodhya ! Lord
Rama too is very sharp seeing through the tricks of Bhakats knowing them
every inch !
Now when ground is fast slipping under the feet of NaMo Government,RSS,
BJP and its sister organisations these want NaMo government and the Apex
Court to speed it up without wasting even a single moment ! Why are they now
in a tearing hurry for the temple to be built instantly !
I think Lord Rama has boundless patience and can wait for some more time too !
The problem is credibility crisis and faith deficit among the people of India which
is very badly haunting BJP,RSS,VHP leaderships making them feel restless- sleepless
till Marathon of 2019 Lok Sabha Polls ! Lord Rama too is aware that NaMo regime
has not honoured its tall- utopian poll promises of 2014 dashing Indian people’s
hopes to the ground hence seeking his shelter to cover up betrayal of the innocent
natives !
When Lord Rama Devotees did not raise this issue all these more than four and a half
years of NaMo led BJP regime what is the problem in waiting for some more time ? If
Lord Rama can have limitless patience why cannot his “true” and “loyal ” devotees ?
The temple should not be built in haste and hurry after all it is the question of LORD
RAMA TEMPLE CONSTRUCTION !
Prof PK Sharma,Freelance Journalist
Pom Anm Nest,Barnala (Punjab)
Prof PK Sharma,Freelance Journalist,Barnala(Punjab)
In his lust for power and megalomania,
he can stoop to the lowest ebb possible !
It is not low for him but quite normal !
Prof PK Sharma, Freelance Journalist
Pom Anm Nest,Barnala(Punjab)
Widow. Nahi to doosari shadi kab ki
OH! It’s The Print, the mouth piece of Die- Nasty.
our PM goes down to any level, its unfortunate to have such person at the top most position of world’s largest secular democracy. Its lack of sanskar, education and wisdom.
“Ye Congress ki kaun si vidhwa thi jiske khate mein paisa jaata tha?…”
My God! I agree with Siddaramaiah that this is a new low for Narendra Modi. This gentleman has lost all rights to talk about anybody else’s corruption until he explains his own corruption-by-connivance to the tune of 36000 crores which he has paid extra for Rafale aircrafts, and for mortgaging BHARAT MATA’s security by bringing to dead end the production of additional 108 aircraft that our air force needed.
Sonia is widow.So no one should not have any doubts on it.Being a widow does not mean u have right to loot whole country.Sonia & pappu are accused in 5000 crores National Herald scam & are on bail now.Next Christian michel the main middle men is now brought back to india who will reveal who is the family & who are bureaucrats who have taken money in 3600 crores Augusta westland scam case.As far as Rafale is concerned it is a dead rubber created by Pappu to tarnish image of modiji.No responsible Opposition leader has ever raised this other than Pappu.
For your kind information birthday tweet was made on 9th Dec. 2016. Not in 2018. LOL.