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.
Also read: Rajasthan: Unpopular Raje vs upbeat Congress vs popular Modi
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
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
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.