The Congress on Thursday accused the BJP of adopting ‘double standards’ by criticising Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh for favouring toilets over temples while remaining silent on similar comments made by its Prime Ministerial candidate and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
On Wednesday, Modi had said that priority should be given to constructing toilets rather than temples. last year, Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh had drawn flak from BJP and RSS for making a similar observation.
“I am only saying that the BJP is showing double standards. When Jairam Ramesh said the same thing, the BJP critics criticised him. Where are the critics todayIJ Why are they not saying anything to Modi. Actually, Modi has no faith in Hinduism,” Congress MP Rajiv Shukla said.
Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh said, “I would like to know what VHP, RSS, and the party that chose him as their PM nominee thinks of itIJ Modi talks of a spiritual experience. I would like to ask him if he has experienced the spirituality involved in cleaning a toilet.”
For his part, Ramesh said, “I still believe we need more toilets than temples. Though I am very happy that the Gujarat Chief Minister has finally found enlightenment and recognised the importance of toilets...It is not conviction that has made Modi say this. It is compulsion,” he said.