Congress president Rahul Gandhi slammed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Amit Shah for likening opposition parties to animals, which is disrespectful to all Indians.
Calling the opposition parties animals exposes Shah’s mentality and reflects the vision of the BJP and its parent organisation RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh). It’s disrespectful to all Indians.Congress President Rahul Gandhi.
Addressing a rally to mark the BJP's 38th Foundation Day in Mumbai on Friday, Shah likened the opposition parties to "dogs, cats, snakes and mongoose", as they were trying to unite against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the 2019 general elections.
"By equating us with animals, Shah has revealed that there were only two humans – Modi and he himself in the country," mocked Gandhi during his visit to Kolar district to campaign for the ruling Congress ahead of the 12 May Karnataka Assembly polls.
"It's unfortunate he (Shah) looks at the world that way and thinks everyone else are animals. But we don't take seriously whatever Shah says," asserted Gandhi.
Shah, however, later clarified that he did not intend to hurt anyone by calling them animals as the context in which he used dogs, cats and snakes was different and meant those whose ideologies were contradictory.
Blaming BJP's senior leaders like LK Advani and Murali Manohar Joshi for not showing guts to speak out, Gandhi said for Shah and Modi, even Dalits, tribals, minorities and everybody else were worthless.
"Shah and Modi are convinced that they are the only two human beings in this country and all others are not. That's the reality," lamented Gandhi.
Under United Oppn, Even Modi May Lose Varanasi in 2019: Rahul
Rahul Gandhi asserted BJP would not win the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and even Prime Minister Narendra Modi might lose from Varanasi under a 'united' opposition.
He predicted a "collapse" not "seen in many years" for the current dispensation and exuded confidence over roping in and managing alliance partners despite their varied personal and regional aspirations.
Pegging his confidence on opposition unity, he said far from the BJP winning the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, even Modi might lose from Varanasi if Congress, SP and BSP were united against him.
Frankly, I don’t see BJP winning the next election, so in 2019 we will go back to the normal, I sense. Because there are two basic things, once opposition unity goes above a certain level, it becomes impossible to win elections. Now the opposition unity has gone to a point. It’s simple.Congress President Rahul Gandhi
Pointing to opposition unity efforts in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and by DMK, Trinamool Congress and Nationalist Congress Party, Gandhi asked, "Where are they (BJP) going to win seats?And in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab. We will take it over."
"You are going to see a collapse of the style you haven't seen in many years," he said.
Hitting out at Modi and BJP, the Congress president said they have lost track of running the country.
"You can't run this country as an individual, you have to run this country by listening to it, by working with it," he said.
Responding to a question, he blamed "mentality" for Modi and BJP losing track.
Addressing a public rally to mark the culmination of "Janashirvad Yatra" that covered all regions of the state, Gandhi asserted that the mood in Karnataka was in favour of his party and it would win the 12 May polls.
The visit also saw Gandhi go to temples and other religious places and interact with Hindu seers, besides holding roadshows and mingling with crowds.
Gandhi said the Karnataka elections was a “fight between two ideologies.”
"On one side Congress that like Bengaluru works for joining every one, spreads brotherhood and love. On the other side BJP, RSS and Nagpur's ideology. It's the ideology of spreading anger, hate and dividing," he alleged.
He also said when Karnataka faced drought for the last four years, it was given less money compared to other states.
Gandhi claimed Maharashtra was given Rs 8,000 crore for drought and Gujarat Rs 3,800 crore while Karnataka got Rs 1,400 crore.
(With inputs from PTI and IANS)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)