'Maalik was clapping': Modi on Channi's 'UP, Bihar bhaiyas' remark
What's the story
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hit out at Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi over his remark that he won't let "UP, Bihar Ke Bhaiyas" enter the state. Modi asked whether Congress meant they wouldn't allow Sant Ravidas and Guru Govind Singh in Punjab as both of them were born outside Punjab. He made the comments at a campaign rally in Punjab's Abohar.
Context
Why does this story matter?
Channi drew flak from the Opposition after he made the comments at a roadshow in Ropar, Punjab on Wednesday. Notably, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was standing behind Channi and was also seen laughing and clapping when he made the remark. Before Modi, Aam Aadmi Party has also sharply reacted to the remark, terming it as "shameful" and "divisive."
Details
Congress disrespecting the soil where Guru Govind Singh born: Modi
In his address, Modi highlighted that Sant Ravidas was born in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi, while Guru Govind Singh was born in Bihar's Patna. "And now you say you will not let Sant Ravidas enter Punjab? Will you now erase his name? What language do you use?" Modi asked. "You are disrespecting the soil where Guru Govind Singh was born," he added.
Modi
'Congress pits people of one region against another'
"Congress always pits people of one region against others so that their car keeps on moving," Modi said. Taking a dig at Gandhi, he said, "The entire country heard what Punjab chief minister said yesterday and his Delhi family, his 'malik' was clapping." "There is not one village in Punjab where people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar don't work," he added.
Farmers
Congress has always betrayed farmers: Modi
Targeting Congress over farmer issues, Modi said the party has always betrayed farmers. "There was a long-pending demand to implement recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission," Modi said, adding that Congress kept sitting on "those files and kept lying." "When we formed our government at the Centre, we implemented those recommendations," he added. Notably, BJP itself is facing backlash in Punjab over the farm laws.
Punjab
Punjab is going to polls on February 20
The Punjab elections will be held in a single phase on February 20. The counting of the votes will be held on March 10. Punjab is likely to witness a three-cornered electoral fight among the ruling Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, and Siromani Akali Dal. Notably, Congress has projected Channi--who replaced Amarinder Singh as the CM in September 2021--as the party's CM face in Punjab.