A major political row erupted over Congress national spokesperson Supriya Shrinate’s remarks praising Rahul Gandhi for meeting “untidy” people of Bihar with any hesitation, with the BJP accusing her of displaying a “feudal mentality and princely mindset”.
In a purported video shared by BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya, Shrinate is heard saying, “In Bihar, people are sweating a lot and their clothes don’t look very clean, still he (Rahul Gandhi) is hugging them and kissing their heads. Such a person can never show off or pretend. One can fear that they might get an infection, but he is not even washing his hands after shaking hands with anyone.”
The BJP leader said that people of Bihar are hardworking, honest, and water the soil of this country with their sweat.
“But in the eyes of the Congress and its leaders, they are people who wear dirty clothes, spread infections, and are like an untouchable society,” Malviya said.
He said that while praising Rahul Gandhi’s ‘sacrifice’, the Congress spokesperson presented a “feudal mentality” and princely “mindset”.
“Bihar needs neither a prince like Rahul Gandhi nor an heir like Tejashwi, who insult the public after meeting them and mock their way of life,” he added.
Congress hits back at Malviya
Hitting back at the BJP leader, Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput said Amit Malviya had no moral ground to speak about respect for Bihar.
“Amit Malviya only blabbers and has no answer to Narendra Modi’s abuse of Bihari DNA. The same Karpoori Thakur, to whom Narendra Modi gave Bharat Ratna, was abused by the people of the BJP and the Jana Sangh. He has no answer to that,” Rajput said.
He said that Rahul Gandhi shakes hands with everyone, unlike Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who meets children by putting up barricades.
“Can PM Modi meet Dalits, tribals, women, farmers, and youth openly? PM Modi meets even children by putting up barricades, and after meeting a person, BJP leaders wash their hands with soap 20 times,” Rajput said.
Assembly elections are due in Bihar in a couple of months. Both the Congress-RJD-led ‘Mahagathbandhan’ or grand alliance and the BJP-JDU-led NDA are up against each other in a high-stakes political battle.