Modi: Dalit leader Sitaram Kesri was 'thrown out' of Congress
What's the story
Ahead of the second phase of the Chhattisgarh polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a rally in Mahasamund, alleged that Dalit leader Sitaram Kesri was "thrown out" of his post of Congress president to make way for Sonia Gandhi. Modi's attack on the Nehru-Gandhi family came following the Congress' claim that "tea seller" could become Prime Minister, thanks to Nehru's legacy. Here's more.
Attack
PM Modi's attack on the Congress
Addressing the rally at Mahasamund, PM Modi added that Kesri was "thrown into the footpath" by the Nehru-Gandhi family, which ruled India for four decades. Saying that the Nehru-Gandhi family "benefited from being in power" at the cost of common people, Modi challenged the Congress to appoint someone "capable" as party president, outside of the Nehru-Gandhi family.
Twitter Post
WATCH: PM Modi's attack on the Congress
Make a person outside the Nehru-Gandhi the Congress Party President for five years and I will agree that Pandit Nehru made a 'Chaiwallah' the PM.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 18, 2018
India has not forgotten how a stalwart like Sitaram Kesri Ji was treated by one family. pic.twitter.com/f4HC0XJii7
Chhattisgarh
Congress never paid attention to Chhattisgarh, says Modi
Continuing his attack, PM Modi said that the Congress government at the Centre had "troubled" BJP leader and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh for 10 years, since he assumed power in 2003. The Prime Minister added that the "remote-controlled" Congress government at the Centre "never paid attention towards Chhattisgarh". Modi concluded by saying that the Congress could not be trusted with people's "aspirations".
Congress
The Congress, too, has hit back at the BJP
Meanwhile, Congress leader Kapil Sibal hit out at the BJP's ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), saying that while Jawaharlal Nehru laid the foundations of the country, RSS leaders had sided with the British. Earlier, Congress leader P Chidambaram had mocked Modi, saying that the Prime Minister should address issues like demonetization and attacks on institutions like the RBI, instead of showing "concern" about Congress presidents.
Twitter Post
Congress leader Chidambaram mocks Modi's "concern"
Grateful that PM Modi is concerned about who is elected as Congress President and he devotes a lot of time talking about it. Will he spend half the time and speak about demonetisation, GST, Rafale, CBI and the RBI?
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) November 17, 2018
Twitter Post
When will Modi talk about issues of import, asks Chidambaram
Will PM Modi speak about farmers’ suicides, massive unemployment, lynchings, rape crimes against women and children, anti-Romeo squads, gau rakshak vigilantism and increasing terror attacks?
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) November 17, 2018
Polls
Chhattisgarh polls: The story so far
The battle for power in Chhattisgarh, where the BJP has ruled since 2003, is being fought tooth and nail between the BJP and Congress. The first phase of polling ended on November 12, and polling for the remaining constituencies will be held on November 20. As of now, opinion polls predict that the Congress will win 47 out of 90 seats, just one above the 46 majority mark.