The Times Of India |
Dec 07, 2017 , 19:49:47 IST
Minutes after Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi nudged Mani Shankar Aiyar to apologise for his "neech aadmi" remark against PM Modi, the embattled leader issued a carefully-worded defence for his pointed criticism of the Prime Minister. "Why was PM taking a jibe at Congress and Rahul Gandhi at inauguration of a Centre on Baba Saheb Ambedkar? Everyday PM is using foul language against our leaders. I am a freelance Congressman, I hold no post in the party, so I can reply to PM in his language," Aiyar was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today lashed out at Mani Shankar Aiyar for his "neech" remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying it displays the mindset that "only one elite family" can rule this country. Reacting to Aiyar's remark, Jaitley said the Congress party has challenged the weaker and backward sections of India by calling the prime minister 'neech'.
Retaliating at senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyars "neech" jibe against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP on Thursday said the Congress leaders remark reeked of feudal arrogance and "darbari soch" (sycophancy) that is inherent in the Congress party. "Mani Shankar Aiyar called our Prime Minister as 'neech'. What does this signify? This shows the feudal arrogance and 'darbari soch' inherent in the Congress party," Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said.
Mani Shankar Aiyar today apologised for using the word "neech" (low) for Prime Minister Narendra Modi but maintained that he had not referred to him as "low-born".
"I never meant low-born. There is a difference in English language between words 'low' and ''low-born'. But in Hindi if low means low-born, then I tender apology," he told reporters after his remarks in the morning triggered a political storm.
Asked about Rahul Gandhi's tweet that he did not appreciate Aiyar's words to address the Prime Minister, Aiyar said he could talk about it only after meeting Gandhi.
(ANI Photo)
BJP and PM routinely use filthy language to attack the Congress party. The Congress has a different culture and heritage. I do not appreciate the tone and language used by Mr Mani Shankar Aiyer to address the PM. Both the Congress and I expect him to apologise for what he said.
& mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 7, 2017
They can call me 'Neech'- Yes, I am from the poor section of society and will spend every moment of my life to work for the poor, Dalits, Tribals and OBC communities. They can keep their language we will do our work: PM @narendramodi
& mdash; narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) December 7, 2017
This Mughlai Mindset sees everyone but prices as 'Neech.' What all have they called us- donkeys, Neech, Gandi Naali Ke Keede...the people of Gujarat will give a fitting answer to such deplorable language: PM
& mdash; narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) December 7, 2017
People did not get continuous electricity. When the BJP got to serve Gujarat we ensured continuous power. The demand for Surat was long pending and it is the BJP that has worked on this
My Maliks (Bosses) are the 125 crore people of India. I am accountable to them for every moment of my time because they have placed their faith in me
They call us a Government of the rich. It is the blessings of the poor that make us rich. Our asset is the hardwork of the poor. Our Government worked for tribal welfare, ensured better education, healthcare: PM @narendramodi
— narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) December 6, 2017
More pictures from Dahod. pic.twitter.com/u3QCvvKKSJ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 6, 2017
This part of Gujarat is special for me. When I took over as CM, people told me school dropout rates in this part are high. On hearing that I decided that come what may, we will get more children to school and we will ensure there are no dropouts: PM @narendramodi
— narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) December 6, 2017
The Sunni Waqf Board has stated today that yes, Kapil Sibal may be our lawyer but what he said in the court is absolutely wrong. They too want a time bound solution to the matter. Everyone wants a time bound solution except Congress and their leaders: PM @narendramodi
— narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) December 6, 2017
PM Narendra Modi campaigning in Dahod #GujaratElections2017 pic.twitter.com/jFolcmgxRw
— ANI (@ANI) December 6, 2017
Yesterday in the SC, a Congress MP Kapil Sibal was arguing (which is his right) for the Babri Masjid. He is entitled to do that but is it right for him to say postpone hearing till 2019? Why does he have to link a Ram Mandir with elections. Is such thinking proper
BJP efforts ensured that youngsters in Gujarat got access to technology and there are more educational institutions to study. Our aim is to make our youth self-reliant
There are some words that the youth of Gujarat do not even know. One such word is curfew. Law and order situation has improved tremendously under the BJP governments over the last two decades
