The BJP and Congress are locked in a fresh war of words over External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid’s disparaging remark against the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.
Hitting out at the Congress, the BJP on Wednesday sought an apology from the party over Khurshid’s “uncultured and uncivilised” comments against Modi. BJP spokesman Syed Shahnawaz Hussain said close to the lok Sabha polls “a depressed, defeated and issueless Congress” is resorting to “abusive” comments against the top BJP leadership.
“The Congress is issueless, leaderless, credibilityless, policyless, depressed and now abusive,” said Hussain adding that Indian culture does not allow use of such language.
The External Affairs Minister on Tuesday called the Gujarat Chief Minister “impotent”. Taking a dig at Khurshid, the BJP spokesman said Congress leaders say “Rahul ke liye jaan de sakte hain. Voh jaan toh nahin, bayan dete hain”. Hussain said the comment would further damage the Congress’ image and ten crore Indians would give “a fitting response” to Khurshid’s “uncivilised comment.”
He wondered whether foreign educated Khurshid has left his culture in a foreign country. On his part, defending use of the word “impotent” for Modi, the External Affairs Minister on Wednesday said: “You have another word for incapacityIJ For lack of strengthIJ I talked about impotency in politics.” Hitting out at Modi in context of the 2002 riots, Khurshid said: “Would I call him potentIJ No other word expressed my feeling better. He (Modi) should either accept what he did in 2002.”
BJP leader and Rajya Sabha member Ravi Shankar Prasad said: “The comment is not only regrettable but shameful, coming from a person who is the External Affairs Minister of India. It is a new low. I can understand their desperation but let me ask Sonia Gandhi does she approve of this comment. Khurshid should apologise for the kind of language he has used against Modi. The desperation is there and the people will give a fitting response.”
BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi counseled Congress leaders to keep patience. “They are using this kind of language as they are frustrated...All the senior leaders and Ministers are aware that they will be wiped out soon. Such statements will take them nowhere.
“We would like to advise them to keep some patience. Elections will come and go, you shall reap what you sow. The people will account for your scams, your performance, your corruption with interests. Why are you so worried,” he said.