Youth Congress's online magazine, Yuva Desh, on Tuesday mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi's English speaking skills and revived the “chaiwala' controversy , invoking sharp criticism from the BJP.
The magazine, on its Twitter handle, put out a picture of Modi in conversation with US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Theresa May. The PM is seen asking them if they are aware about the various 'memes' put out by the Opposition against him.
The blurbs of dialogue show the PM mispronouncing "meme", being corrected by Mr Trump, and Ms May taking a jibe at the PM by saying, "You stick to selling tea."
The ruling party has said that the offensive post, which has now been deleted, shows the Congress' elitist mindset and people will punish the party in the Gujarat polls.
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad tweeted, "Madam Sonia Gandhi & Mr Rahul Gandhi do u still believe that only u have a divine right to rule IndiaIJ Country expects ur response on the tweet of the youth Congress, which is shameful & insulting to poor. U can delete the Tweet but ur thinking towards the poor stands exposed."
Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said the party "strongly disapproves and rejects such humour". He also tweeted that , "Differences on policy and opinion aside, Congress culture imbibes respect for PM and all political opponents."
In 2014, ahead of the general elections, senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar Mr Modi ridiculed Modi as a 'chaiwala'.. "Modi will never become the Prime Minister of the country... But if he wants to distribute tea here, we will find a place for him," Mr Aiyar infamously said at a party gathering. Modi and the BJP capitalised on his jibe and the Congress paid a huge political cost for Aiyar's indiscretion.