Video Editors: Sandeep Suman & Purnendu Pritam
Threats (some veiled, others open), curses, hate speeches and abuses are ruling campaign discourse this election season. From the beards of Muslims to Khaki underwear, party bigwigs are raising the most ridiculous concerns in their rallies. It almost looks like they are taking turns in rolling out outrageous remarks day after day, keeping the Election Commission on its toes (or so we hope). And we, the citizens don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Looking back, here are a few of the most bizarre and totally uncalled for remarks that our representatives made while asking us to vote for them.
Maneka Gandhi’s ‘Votes for Jobs’ Remark
Union Minister Maneka Gandhi brazenly told a gathering of Muslims in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh that she will not be inclined to give them jobs if they don’t vote for her. Talk about threats!
Pankaja Munde's ‘Rahul Gandhi Suicide Bomber’ Comment
BJP leader Pankaja Munde is a repeat offender. she had stirred controversy with her remarks about “changing the constitution” in an election rally.
“This is not a Zilla Parishad, but a Lok Sabha election. Mahamanav Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar wrote the Constitution. We have to change the Constitution, bring new Bills and make some changes,” she had said while addressing an election rally in Beed in support of her sister Pritam Munde, a BJP candidate on 16 April.
Just a few days later, on 22 April in Maharashtra’s Jalna, Munde said sending Rahul Gandhi to another country with a bomb strapped to him.
Munde wants to blow up a political opponent. Violent much?
When Ranjeet Bahadur Srivastava Promised to Shave Beards of Muslims
This is what BJP Leader Ranjeet Bahadur Srivastava promised a gathering in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh. Machines from China to shave beards of Muslims if voted to power.
Ramesh Katara’s Surveillance Threat
In another threatening speech, BJP leader Ramesh Katara said the CCTV cameras in polling booths will show if someone fails to vote for BJP.
Azam Khan’s ‘Khaki Underwear’ Jibe
It wasn’t clear if Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan was targeting BJP candidate Jaya Prada but while campaigning in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh he said this:
Sakshi Maharaj’s ‘Curse’
BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj, infamous for kicking up rows, sparked yet another one when he said those who don’t vote for him will be ‘cursed’.
When Pragya ‘Cursed’ a Martyr
Talking of curses, who can forget the time when BJP’s Bhopal candidate Pragya Singh Thakur said the 26/11 hero Hemant Karkare died because she ‘cursed’ him. Pragya ‘s candidature itself was controversial as she was one of the accused in the Malegaon blasts of 2008. This ‘curse’ made her ticket even more outrageous.
Satpal Singh Goes Unparliamentary
BJP Himachal Pradesh State Unit President Satpal Singh Satti on 14 April in Solan read out an alleged letter written by a ‘Punjabi man’ which abused Congress President Rahul Gandhi. This is what the leader said:
‘Remove Clothes To Know Religion’ Said Sreedharan Pillai
Well, this one was more cringe-worthy than most others. State president of the BJP in Kerala, PS Sreedharan Pillai on 14 April made a remark about Muslims that was highly uncalled for and definitely not befitting for a people’s representative. He said you will get to know the religion of the terrorists ‘killed’ in Balakot if you remove their clothes.
When Tejasvi Implied Modi Is India
Last, but definitely not the least, one of BJP’s youngest candidates, Tejasvi Surya equated the country to Prime Minister Modi. This is what he said:
This election season has definitely not been used to debate real issues, nor is it restricted to mudslinging. It is rife with crass, illogical and senseless comments, and that too, from prospective leaders of states.
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