Rahul’s ‘Meloni’ jibe sparks BJP backlash, apology demand

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday accused Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi of insulting Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and demanded an apology from him.

"The frivolity shown by Rahul Gandhi is unbecoming of any position. He not only insulted the country's Prime Minister, but also stooped so low to insult the woman head of the government of Italy. No leader in this country had indulged in such frivolity before. Even street-level leaders do not behave in such a manner," Fadnavis told reporters in Jalna in central Maharashtra.

Gandhi and Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit should apologise to the country over their remarks, he said.

The BJP on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Gandhi, accusing him of using "uncultured and indecent" language and lowering the dignity of the office of the leader of opposition.

 

Addressing the Rachnatmak Congress National Convention on Thursday, Gandhi commented on the media 'toeing the government's line'.

He also said it had somehow been ingrained in Prime Minister Modi's mind that foreign policy was about hugging leaders.

Gandhi then hugged Rachnatmak Congress chief Sandeep Dikshit to show what foreign policy was about for the current government.

"Imagine the ignorance....where did he get the idea that foreign policy was about hugging leaders," he said.

Dikshit then asked Gandhi, "Ek cheez pooch sakta hoon? Meloni samajh ke toh nahi pakda tha?"