New Delhi: Days after Prime minister Narendra Modi claimed that Congress wants to confiscate people’s jewellery and small savings by conducting an X-ray of their properties and valuables, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi has compared the PM to a ‘shaadi wale uncle ji’, calling his remarks “stupid”.
During a rally Saturday in Gujarat, she said, “In marriages, you would have seen one uncle who sits in the corner and gathers a few people. Those who are getting bored, listen to that uncleji. Then that uncleji gives everyone his gyaan.” She went on to say that this person in a marriage or a tea stall tells everyone, “Saavdhan ho jaao (beware). When the Congress government comes to power, they will use X-ray machines to steal mangalsutra, boxes and small savings. And give it to someone else.”
“Laughing about it, you’ll say ‘he has said a big thing today. Khoob gehri sazish nikaal di’ (he has unearthed a deep conspiracy), and you’ll say ‘what nonsense are you talking about? Think of something new’,” she said.
Comparing that ‘uncle’ to Modi, Priyanka said the country’s prime minister is using his position to say such “stupid things in front of you”.
“He thinks that because he is the PM and has that position of importance, ‘I’ll say such useless things and people will think it is true’. Is it even possible that this can be true? Is it possible that the government will use X-ray and go into people’s houses and take away your jewellery, give it to others?” said Priyanka, asking if the PM has a problem with their ‘Nyay Patra’ — the Congress Manifesto — because it has the word ‘nyay’ (justice) in it.
After the top congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi, called their demand for a caste census the ‘X-ray’ of the country, Modi has used the word to repeatedly attack the party.
On Wednesday, Modi hit out at the Congress, claiming that the party promised reservations on the basis of religion even though the Constitution does not allow it. He alleged that the Opposition party wants to snatch away people’s wealth in Madhya Pradesh. “It (Congress) will find out ‘through X-ray’ what is hidden in your lockers,” said Modi.
In the same rally, Modi had tried hitting back at Congress leader Sam Pitroda for his remarks on inheritance tax to step up BJP’s attack on the issue of “wealth redistribution”.
“The wealth that you have accumulated by working hard and enduring hardships will be looted from you once a Congress-led government is formed,” said the PM. “Modi is standing like a wall between you and the Congress’s plan to loot you.”