New Delhi:
Congressman Rahul Gandhi on Monday responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's criticism over his use of the word 'Shakti' – a reference to the feminine divine energy – in describing the opposition's attempt to defeat the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in the April-May Lok Sabha elections.
The Prime Minister and the BJP had accused Mr Gandhi and the opposition, including the Congress-led INDIA bloc, of 'Shakti', and expanded the comment to “… deny the existence of Lord Ram”. “I accept their challenge. I will sacrifice my life,” the Prime Minister said in Telangana's Jagtial.
Gandhi then accused the Prime Minister of 'always trying to change the meaning of my words by twisting them in some way', and said he had spoken of a 'power (or'Shakti') that has conquered institutions, media, industry and the entire constitutional structure of India”.
“…he (PM Modi) knows that I have spoken a deep truth. The power I mentioned, the power we are fighting… the mask of that power is Modiji. This is one such power that has a hold on institutions… the Central Bureau of Investigation, the Enforcement Directorate, the Income Tax Department, the Election Commission, the media and the entire constitutional structure of India,” he stated.
I think I'm fine, I think it's so I think I did it right I think I did it right I think it's right
I think I can, I think I will I think I can do that
I think that it…
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 18, 2024
“I recognize that power… Modiji also recognizes that power. This is not a religious power. It is the power of corruption and lies. And this is why, whenever I raise my voice against him, Modiji becomes upset and enraged,” Gandhi thundered at a 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' event in Mumbai.
READ | “Misogynistic”: Rahul Gandhi's 'Shakti' Remark Rally Sparks Row
Gandhi was seen as referring to opposition claims that the BJP is using central agencies such as the CBI, ED and the Income Tax Department to attack and intimidate rivals, especially before elections.
Mr Gandhi also spoke about a “senior (political) leader from Maharashtra” leaving the Congress.
“Crying… he said to my mother (Congress matriarch Sonia Gandhi), 'SoniajiI am ashamed to say that I do not have the power to fight this people, this force. I don't want to go to jail.”
The 'senior leader' was seen by many as former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, who left Congress for the BJP last month and got a Rajya Sabha nomination within 48 hours. However, Mr Chavan issued a statement this morning refusing to say Mr Gandhi was referring to him.
READ | Ashok Chavan on Rahul's 'Weeping Senior Leader Who Quit' Jab
Three cases are pending against Mr Chavan; two are related to the 2010 Adarsh Cooperative Housing Society scam, which led to his resignation as chief minister.
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The Congress leader also referred to previous attacks by 'crony capitalism' on the Prime Minister and the BJP, claiming that Modi had 'auctioned the country's assets to increase that power' while poor Indians live in poverty and suffer ongoing costs of living crisis.
The Prime Minister was not the only BJP figure to hit out at Mr Gandhi; BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused the Congressman of expressing 'misogynistic' views.
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