Row over Anil Vij's remarks on Modi and Gandhi: Hitler and Mussolini were also big brands, taunts Rahul Gandhi

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday took jibe at BJP leader Anil Vij for his controversial statement that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a much bigger brand that Mahatma Gandhi and said that dictators Hitler and Mussolini were also big brands. 

Posting link to an agency video of Vij’s remarks on his Twitter account, Rahul Gandhi wrote: “Hitler and Mussolini were also very powerful brands”.

The BJP leader had made the controversial remark after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s image had replaced the image of Mahatma Gandhi on the annual Khadi KVIC calendar for 2017. 

Also read | Haryana Minister Anil Vij says PM Modi bigger brand than Mahatma Gandhi, takes it back after BJP 'strongly condemns' his statement

Although, minutes after making the comment, Vij retracted his statement saying, “the comment I made on Mahatma Gandhi is my personal opinion. To avoid hurting anyone’s sentiments, I take it back,” he tweeted.

The remark drew strong reaction from Congress party leaders, who alleged that PM Modi is trying to wipe out Mahatma Gandhi from national conscious. 

Speaking to a new agency on Saturday, Congress leader Kapil Sibal termed the comment unfortunate and said, “It's not the opinion of individual, it's reflection of the mind set and ideology that they follow ie, RSS.”