'Sonia Gandhi must say sorry...': BJP on Congress workers' slogans
What's the story
A major controversy has erupted after derogatory slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi were shouted at a Congress rally in Rajasthan. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is demanding an apology from senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi. The incident took place during a "Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod" rally led by Manju Lata Meena, the Jaipur women's Congress district president.
Apology demanded
BJP leaders demand apology from Congress leadership
Union Minister JP Nadda and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju have publicly condemned the slogans. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Nadda said, "The slogan raised against PM Modi in a Congress rally yesterday is proof of the party's true thinking and mentality." He called for Gandhi to apologize, saying, "For this indecent language...Sonia Gandhi...should apologize to the country."
Democratic values
Rijiju emphasizes importance of democratic norms
Rijiju also stressed the need for accountability from Congress leaders, saying they should apologize on the floor of Parliament. He said such an apology would show that Congress acknowledged the seriousness of their actions. "The Congress president and the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament should apologize to the country," he said.
Allies's stance
Congress allies distance themselves from controversial remarks
Meanwhile, Congress's allies have distanced themselves from the controversial remarks. Samajwadi Party MP Rajeev Rai said while they may have political differences, they should restrain their words when speaking about constitutional posts. Nationalist Congress Party leader Jayant Patil also said it was "not right" to raise such slogans against PM Modi.
Rally defense
Congress MP defends rally's message
Congress MP Manickam Tagore said the rally had "rattled" BJP leaders. He said they were unable to sleep after hearing about Nadda's demand for Gandhi's apology. However, Meena defended her remarks at the rally, saying she was only expressing public anger over alleged vote theft. The BJP continues to call for accountability from Congress leadership in light of these developments.