Rahul Gandhi hits out at BJP’s remote-control jibe

Tumukuru: Former AICC President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said the tone of the party high command remote-controlling the AICC President belonging to a non-Gandhi family is insulting to both Mallikarjun Kharge and Sashi Tharoor who are contesting election to the top post.
“In this election both people (Kharge and Tharoor) who are standing (in the election) have a position and perspective, and they are people of stature and understanding. So, I don’t think either of them is going to be a remote control. Frankly, I think this tone (remote-control) is insulting to both of them,” he told reporters here in a press conference on the sidelines of Bharat Jodo Yatra.
He was replying to a question on BJP’s charge that the AICC President belonging to a non-Gandhi family will be remote-controlled by the Gandhis.
The election for the coveted post is scheduled for October 17 and is being held after a gap of 22 years. Counting of votes will be conducted on October 19.
Further talking on the issue, Gandhi said the Congress is not a fascist party, but believes in conversation and welcomes different viewpoints. “We do know that in order to win elections we will have to work as a team,” he stated.
Earlier, BJP on October 1 had said that Kharge, who has emerged as the favourite to win the poll, will be a proxy and remote-controlled.
In a tongue-in-cheek tweet, BJP IT department Head Amit Malviya said, “Kharge at 80 is an inspiring choice for the Congress. He is young, energetic and just what the Congress needed to ensure its revival. He should just pick Dr Manmohan Singh’s manual on ‘Living by the Remote Control’ and it is all sorted.”
Tharoor continues to hang in, he added, referring to the Congress MP, who has also filed his nomination for the Congress President post with his erstwhile G-23 dissident group within the party earlier espousing change of policies backing Kharge instead.
Another BJP leader and spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also called the election as match-fixed for Kharge.
“After (Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok) Gehlot lost favour with Parivar (Gandhis), now 80-year-old Mallikarjun Kharge ji becomes the chosen remote controlled proxy candidate, who is projected as an official candidate, contrast his nomination with Tharoor’s lacklustre one. Isn’t it clear the match is fixed for Kharge.” (UNI)