The BJP alleged that former finance minister P Chidambaram has “mocked” the “Ram temple initiative” and the Statue of Unity. The ruling party said that his comments were “highly irresponsible and very provocative”.
Terming Chidambaram’s comments as “classic hypocrisy”, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that while congress president keeps on visiting temples and portrays himself as ‘Shiv Bhakt’, a leader from his own party was indulging in such comments.
Congress leader’s tweet triggered the comments from Prasad. “At the beginning of five years, the promise is for Development, Jobs and Money in every citizen’s bank account. Nothing achieved, at the end of five years, the new promise is for grand Temples, giant Statues and Doles,” the Congress leader had tweeted.
According to Prasad, Chidambaram mocked both the Ram Temple initiative and the Statue of Unity, which is now the tallest across the globe. “Please stop it. Don’t play with sentiments,” he said. Prasad also asked Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi to express regret and make their stand clear on the issue.
Saying the comments were a big insult to Sardar Ballabhbhai Patel and asked why they are reacting in such manner when there are several schemes, scholarships and awards in the name of Nehru-Gandhi family. The Congress wanted to erase Patel’s legacy and BJP was proud to honour Patel by building the tallest statue of him under the Narendra Modi government, Prasad felt.
Shifting focus on another Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, Prasad vehemently objected to his comparison of Modi and Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler and said this is coming out of frustration. Taking potshots at Kharge, Prasad said that he cannot take one step unilaterally without the approval of the party’s ruling family.
However, assembly elections are scheduled to be held in five states during November-December followed by the General Elections next year.
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