On 1984-riots, Pitroda says 'hua to hua'. Modi slams him
What's the story
As election season is reaching its climax, political parties aren't leaving anything to chance. No one wants to give leverage to their opponent. But looks like senior Congress leader Sam Pitroda didn't get the memo. He spelled trouble for Congress by saying "jo hua so hua" when talking about 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Quite obviously, BJP didn't let the opportunity pass by. Here's what happened.
Context
Backstory: Pitroda showed his insensitive side
Pitroda, the Overseas chief of Congress, sort of brushed aside the riots which sparked in 1984 after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards. Responding to BJP's allegations that Rajiv Gandhi approved the carnage, Pitroda said it was a lie. "You speak about what you have done in the last five years. It happened in 1984, so what," Pitroda added.
Quote
Pitroda listed the failures of BJP government
"You were voted to create jobs. You were voted to create 200 smart cities. You have not even done that. You have not done anything that is why you keep talking here and there," Pitroda went on.
Reaction
Congress will win fewer seats than 44, said PM Modi
Pitroda's words were enough to give BJP a playing field. Many BJP leaders slammed his words, but the loudest condemnation came from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi said on Friday that Pitroda's statement shouldn't be treated as a standalone case. "This is Congress's arrogance which got them 44 seats and now people of India will ensure that they slip even further," he told ANI.
Quote
PM Modi recalled what Rajiv said about 1984 riots
"They have done this for years. Rajiv Gandhi had said 'when a big tree falls earth shakes'. They even made Kamal Nath in charge of Punjab, now made him MP CM. So don't take this as an individual's statement," PM Modi stressed.
Defense
Cornered after row, Pitroda said BJP was twisting his words
Facing ire from all corners, Pitroda took to Twitter to clarify his statement. "I have noticed how BJP is again twisting three words from my interview to distort facts, divide us and hide their failures," Pitroda wrote. He added he very well understood the pain of Sikhs brothers and sister. However, these things aren't relevant in the present scenario, Pitroda opined.
Twitter Post
BJP has no vision to take India forward
BJP is talking about these issues and attacking congress leaders with lies because they can not talk about their performance and have no vision to take india forward to inclusively growth and prosperity for all with focus on Jobs, kids and more Jobs.
— Sam Pitroda (@sampitroda) May 10, 2019
Details
Earlier, Pitroda raised questions on India's approach after Pulwama
This is not the first time that Pitroda's words sparked a controversy. In March, Pitroda questioned Balakot airstrikes and said attacks like Pulwama happened. "Attack happened in Mumbai also, we could have then reacted and just sent our planes but that is not the right approach. According to me, that's not how you deal with the world," he had said.