Ashiwini Kumar Choubey calls Rahul Gandhi 'naali ka keeda'; triggers political agitation

Union Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey’s remark on Congress President Rahul Gandhi suffering from “some mental disease like schizophrenia” and “is no more than a ‘naali ka keeda’(sewer worm) before the prime minister,” has stirred a rage of controversy between the two political parties. It has drawn much criticism from the opposition as well as NDA ally JD-U.

Read | Bhima Koregaon violence: Left parties to stage protest at Jantar Mantar against activists' arrest

Ashwini Kumar even pointed fingers at RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, who is currently serving a jail term in fodder scam cases, blaming him that he has been “cursed by the poor” and “is paying for his own sins”. “While the PM is like the sky, Rahul Gandhi is like naali ka keeda ,” Choubey said while addressing a programme in Bihar’s Sasaram.

Agitated by the remarks, AICC media panelist and senior Congress leader Prenchandra Mishra said, “Choubey does not have control over his tongue. Was he speaking under the effect of marijuana?”

Although BJP stepped aside from these critical remarks made by Ashwini, it said his comments reflected his personal view and not that of the party. A furious Congress member blamed BJP for exposing its “fake respect” for Hindu traditions by insulting Congress president when he is on a pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar Shrine.

Read | Bhima Koregaon Violence: Raids at homes of prominent activists across India; several held

RJD too could not hold back but criticised BJP leadership saying that it is “busy making an event out of the death of Atal Bihari Vajpayee”, should endeavour some skills on conducting oneself in public from the late prime minister.

Ashwini made the deplorable comments on Rahul Gandhi while addressing a press conference on Gandhi’s pilgrimage visit and efforts by the opposition parties such as the Congress and RJD to form a nation-wide alliance (‘Mahagathbandhan’).

(With PTI inputs)