Channi's 'UP, Bihar bhaiyas' remark strikes controversy; Opposition slams Priyanka
What's the story
Congress has landed into another controversy after Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi said he won't let "UP, Bihar Ke Bhaiya" enter the state. Party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was seen laughing and clapping when Channi made the remark at a roadshow in Ropar while describing Priyanka as the daughter-in-law of Punjabis. Both Aam Aadmi Party and BJP have sharply reacted to the remark.
Context
Why does this story matter?
The remark and subsequent applaud by Gandhi are going to haunt Congress in Uttar Pradesh, where assembly elections are underway. Notably, Priyanka Gandhi is the party's in-charge in UP and is leading the assembly campaign from the front. Furthermore, members of the Gandhi family, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi (till his 2019 defeat), have been elected to Lok Sabha from constituencies in UP.
Kejriwal
Kejriwal calls the remark 'shameful'
AAP chief and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal called the remark "shameful." "We strongly condemn comments aimed at any individual or any particular community," he said. Taking a dig at Priyanka, Kejriwal added, "Priyanka Gandhi also belongs to UP, so she is also a Bhaiya." Notably, AAP is considered the prime challenger to the ruling Congress party in Punjab.
BJP
Congress is making people fight among themselves: BJP
Reacting to the comment, the BJP termed it an insult to people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. "When the CM of Punjab insults people of UP, Bihar, Priyanka Vadra stands by him, smiles and applauds," BJP's IT cell chief Amit Malviya wrote on Twitter. "This is how Congress will develop UP and the country? By making people fight among themselves?" he asked.
Twitter Post
Watch the video here
मंच से पंजाब के मुख्यमंत्री यूपी, बिहार वालों को अपमानित करते हैं और प्रियंका वाड्रा बगल में खड़े हो कर हंस रही है, तालियाँ बजा रही हैं…
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) February 16, 2022
ऐसे करेगी कांग्रेस यूपी और देश का विकास? लोगों को आपस में लड़ा कर? pic.twitter.com/h6TtmvqgZQ
Quote
How will Gandhi campaign in UP now? asks Manoj Tiwari
BJP MP Manoj Tiwari took to Twitter and condemned the remarks made by Channi. Slamming both Channi and Gandhi, Tiwari asked, "How will Priyanka Gandhi campaign in UP and seek votes now?"
Reaction
'UP Ki Beti' was laughing when UP was insulted: Minister
Speaking to News18, UP minister Mohsin Raza said, "The Punjab CM was insulting people of UP while the one who has been calling herself 'UP Ki Beti' was standing beside him and clapping." "What else can you expect from people who have earlier also tried to defame our nation?" "The Punjab CM had even played with the security of our honorable PM," he said.
Raza
Congress people have 'division' in their DNA: Raza
Raza further said that when people clap for a certain statement, it shows that they are supporting it in a way. "This makes it clear that Priyanka Vadra was supporting Channi in insulting people of UP and Bihar," he said. He added the people of UP and Bihar "work for the togetherness of the country, unlike Congress people who have 'division' in their DNA."
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.