Rahul Gandhi’s Comments on Varanasi Draw Criticism; BJP Slams Congress Leader’s Remarks
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 22nd Feb. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi stirred controversy on Tuesday with veiled remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, saying he “saw people lying on the road after drinking alcohol.”
Speaking at a rally in his former constituency Amethi during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Gandhi claimed to witness people drinking alcohol and “instruments being played at night” in Varanasi, painting a negative image of the future of Uttar Pradesh.
He said, “says, “I went to Varanasi and I saw that instruments are being played at night. I saw people lying on the road after drinking alcohol. The future of Uttar Pradesh is dancing after drinking alcohol at night. On the other side, there is Ram Mandir in which PM Modi will be seen, and Ambani & Adani will be seen. You will see all the billionaires of India but not a single backward or Dalit person will be seen…”
#WATCH | Amethi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi says, "I went to Varanasi and I saw that instruments are being played at night. I saw people lying on the road after drinking alcohol. The future of Uttar Pradesh is dancing after drinking alcohol at night. On the other side, there is… pic.twitter.com/0s3a5HZ5LG
— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2024
“In response, Union Minister and BJP MP from Amethi, Smriti Irani, lambasted Rahul Gandhi for his “objectionable” remarks, questioning his upbringing.”
Irani said, “Irani says, “Rahul Gandhi’s remark shows how much venom he has in his mind for Uttar Pradesh. He made objectionable comments against voters of UP in Wayanad. He rejected the invitation to the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at Ram Temple. Today, he has made objectionable remarks about Varanasi and the youth of Uttar Pradesh. Congress’ future is in darkness but UP’s future is moving towards development. It is my advice to Sonia Gandhi that if she cannot give a good upbringing to her son, then at least ask him not to comment…”
#WATCH | Union Minister Smriti Irani says, "Rahul Gandhi's remark shows how much venom he has in his mind for Uttar Pradesh. He made objectionable comments against voters of UP in Wayanad. He rejected the invitation to the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at Ram Temple. Today, he has… pic.twitter.com/YVCTMsJaVt
— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2024
Uttar Pradesh minister Dinesh Pratap Singh also condemned Gandhi’s comments, calling for an apology from the Congress leader.
“It is saddening to hear such statements when efforts are being made by the Centre to take the Indian culture to the world. Our culture does not allow public drinking. I can say that no one in my family consumes alcohol in public, but can Rahul Gandhi say this? He should apologise for such remarks,” he said.
