BJP hits back at Rahul Gandhi, says he's 'deliberately insulting OBCs'

Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad while addressing a presser said it was not only about Rahul Gandhi, but 32 others from different parties had been disqualified on similar charges.

Hyderabad: Barely an hour after Rahul Gandhi, disqualified as an MP the preceding day over 'Modi surname' remark, dared the BJP government on Saturday that he will keep asking questions over the relationship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Gautam Adani, the BJP hit back at Gandhi saying that he had “deliberately disrespected the OBCs” in the country.

Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad while addressing a press conference accused Rahul Gandhi of “abusing the OBCs”. “You have the right to criticize but you cannot insult. He didn't even apologize,” Prasad said while referring to Rahul Gandhi's disqualification as MP from Wayanad on Friday. The disqualification came a day after a court in Surat convicted him and sentenced him for his remarks during an election rally in Karnataka that “why all Modis are thieves”.

Prasad said that it was not only about Rahul Gandhi but 32 others from different parties had been disqualified on similar charges. “Is there any special law for Congress?” he asked. Prasad said that people from the Modi caste were registering cases against Rahul including Bihar BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi. Prasad questioned if the Congress party thought the decision by the Surat court to sentence Rahul was wrong, why the party leaders did not challenge the decision in the High Court “like they did in Pawan Kheraa' case”.

Khera was granted bail after being detained by the police at the Delhi airport over comments on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Prasad's press conference came moments after Rahul addressed a presser in the aftermath of his disqualification. Rahul dared the BJP that he was not afraid of the BJP and will keep asking questions about the relationship of PM Modi with Adani.

However, Prasad alleged that Congress was making Rahul a “scapegoat to benefit in Karnataka elections. “Or is there an infighting in Congress for Rahul Hatao Congress bachao (remove Rahul and save Congress)?” he said.

Meanwhile, Reacting to Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from Parliament Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Saturday that everyone is equal before the law and Rahul Gandhi is not an exception.

Taking potshots at Rahul over the issue, the Chief Minister said that the Congress leader thinks that he can speak on anything adding that he got an opportunity to correct himself but failed to utilize it.

He further alleged that Rahul Gandhi not only spoke against an individual but also a community and this has hurt the people's sentiments.