'Rahul Gandhi has always insulted OBC': BJP fires back after '2nd Ambedkar' remark; accuses Congress of mocking backward community
NEW DELHI: BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Rahul Gandhi and the Congress, accusing it of repeatedly insulting the other backward classes (OBC) community, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who also belongs to the same category.
He also branded Congress as the 'most corrupt party' for idealising leaders facing scam allegations.
Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Gaurav Bhatia said, "The most corrupt party held a conference on the OBC society yesterday. Rahul Gandhi himself has always insulted the OBC community and the Prime Minister, who comes from the OBC community. There are many serious charges against him, including corruption, and he is out on bail."
The BJP leader also questioned Rahul Gandhi's endorsement of leaders like Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, both of whom he claimed are facing corruption allegations.
"Rahul Gandhi said that your ideals are sitting here. According to Rahul Gandhi, that ideal is Siddaramaiah, who is accused of the Muda scam. Bhupesh Baghel and his son are accused of many scams... The government has resolved to make the country corruption-free, but Rahul Gandhi says that those who are corrupt have the qualities to become leaders," he added, as quoted by ANI.
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The BJP's remark came a day after the Congress organised the 'Bhagidari Nyay Sammelan' at Delhi's Talkatora Stadium. The event was inaugurated by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and concluded with Rahul Gandhi's keynote address.
During the event, Kharge reiterated the Congress party's demand for a nationwide caste-based census and the removal of the 50 per cent cap on reservations. He also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of denying rights to backward communities and misleading the country.
In his speech, Rahul Gandhi admitted that not conducting a caste census during the UPA government was a mistake and expressed his resolve to correct it. He said he had earlier failed to fully understand the issues faced by the OBC community, unlike those of Dalits, tribals, and women.
"I think about my work, where I did well and where I fell short, and I see two to three things. Land Acquisition Bill, MNREGA, Right to Food, Tribal Bill, and Niyamgiri struggle- all these things I did well.
As far as the issues of tribals, Dalits, and women are concerned, I should get good marks there. I did good work," he said, as quoted by ANI.
Earlier in the day, Congress leader Udit Raj said that Rahul Gandhi will prove to be the "second Ambedkar" for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) if they listen to what he said during the Bhagidari Nyay Sammelan.
Raj compared Rahul Gandhi to Babasaheb Ambedkar and said that the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) must support the statements made by the LoP.
"Caste census in Telangana is an X-ray of society. Rahul Gandhi aims to replicate it nationwide. His views are visionary. If Dalits and backward classes come forward, our economy will boost. The inequality that prevails in society will be reduced. If OBC understands what Rahul Gandhi said, he will prove to be the second Ambedkar for them," Raj told ANI.
"OBCs will have to think that history does not give opportunities for progress again and again.
They should follow and support what Rahul Gandhi said in the Talkatora Stadium conference. If they do so, then Rahul Gandhi will prove to be the second Ambedkar for them," Raj posted on X.
Responding to Udit Raj's remarks, BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya accused Congress of hatching a conspiracy to diminish Ambedkar's legacy. "Congress is now worried about finding another Ambedkar. But the country knows how Congress betrayed Dr Ambedkar and repeatedly insulted him, which is recorded in history," he wrote on X.
Malviya also took a swipe at Rahul Gandhi and said he could "never become anything, except a historic failure."
"The question is — why isn't Congress searching for another Nehru? Because this effort is a conspiracy to diminish Dr Ambedkar's legacy and greatness," Malviya wrote.
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