PM Modi's 'Moorkhon Ke Sardar' Jibe Against Rahul Gandhi Sparks BJP-Congress War | Who Said What

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Moorkhon ke sardar’ jibe on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s ‘made in China phones’ remark has triggered a controversy, with the grand old party calling out the use of “ego-driven” and “foul” language by the BJP during its campaign in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh. The saffron camp, however, remained unapologetic with its IT cell head Amit Malviya sharing a mash-up video of Gandhi’s remark and the prime minister’s reaction.

Prime Minister Modi’s jibe came as Madhya Pradesh votes on November 17. “Arey moorkhon ke sardar,” said PM Modi on Tuesday (November 14) at a poll rally in the state, while highlighting India’s strides in mobile manufacturing to counter Rahul Gandhi’s barb. “As 17th November is nearing, Congress’s claims are getting exposed. Today, we got a report from the entire Madhya Pradesh that Congress has accepted the defeat and now they’re relying on luck,” he added.

Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary said the PM has accepted defeat and is now trying to divert people with “foul language”. He told ANI: “PM Modi is already aware of the results of the elections and this is the reason why the prime minister of the country is using such foul language and calling Rahul Gandhi a moorkh.”

Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, who has recently been embroiled in the Mahadev app online betting row, said PM Modi’s ego knows no bounds. “The prime minister’s ego has increased so much that now he is abusing in public,” he told ANI.

Chief minister of poll-bound Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot said the jibe was “unfortunate” and unbecoming of the prime minister’s post. “It is very unfortunate. The prime minister’s post holds dignity… the more it is criticised, the less it is. If a man holds a position of dignity but says things like this, what can you expect from him?” he asked.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore said it shows Modi’s arrogance and how he wants people to be diverted from real issues. “It shows the arrogance of PM Modi… He always wants to divert from the real issues and goes personal against the political leadership… Rahul Gandhi was speaking about an important issue…For each mobile company or instrument that we are using, the majority of the mobiles that are in the price range of below Rs 10,000, are produced in China… The number of handsets in that background is a bigger thing… The Make in India programme has completely failed… The production in the MSME sector and medium-scale industries is suffering because of the wrong policies of PM Modi…” he told ANI.

Shiv Sena (UBT) also clocked into the controversy as MP Sanjay Raut said the BJP is actively thinking about Gandhi, which was one part of his success. “…They discuss and think about Rahul Gandhi; this is the success of Rahul Gandhi… They have fear about the support that Rahul Gandhi gets… You had made a declaration about a Congress-free India… You saw the dream of Shiv Sena-free Maharashtra… Democracy cannot be sustained in a country by making it free from any political party….” he said.