Senior Congress leader Raja Pateria has made a huge controversial remark, allegedly inciting people to “kill” Prime Minister Narendra Modi to “save the Indian constitution”.
The remark has triggered a massive backlash against the Congress amid Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, which is currently passing through Rajasthan. Following the public retaliation, the Congress leader clarified that he meant it is important to “defeat” PM Modi.
In a viral video, the Congress leader can be heard addressing party workers saying, “If you want to save our constitution, kill Modi.” The Congress workers were also seen clapping at Pateria’s bizarre remark against the prime minister in a video that has since been deleted.
“Modi will end the elections. Modi will divide on the basis of religion, caste and language. The future of Dalits, tribals and minorities is in danger. If you want to save the Constitution, then be ready to kill Modi,” Pateria can be heard saying while addressing a meeting of Congress workers in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna district on Monday.
The BJP has slammed the Congress and demanded Pateria’s arrest. The Madhya Pradesh government has also ordered the filing of a police complaint against the leader.
Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan slammed the Congress and said that the party does not even compete with PM Modi in the election field, and that’s why a Congress leader is talking about killing PM Modi.
“The reality of those who are undertaking the Bharat Jodo Yatra is coming to the fore,” he said.
Warning the Congress, Chouhan also said in a video message that an FIR is being lodged against Pateria, and that the BJP will not tolerate this.
Dharmraj Meena, the Superintendent of Police of Panna said that an FIR has been registered following the remarks which can cause unrest.
Amid the controversy, former minister Pateria has voiced his defence and said that his statement was taken out of context, adding that he is a follower of Mahatma Gandhi’s ideology.
Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra pointed out that this is not Mahatma Gandhi’s Congress. “It’s the Congress of Italy that is afflicted with a Mussolini mindset,” he commented.
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