Rahul In Damage-Control Mode After ‘Shakti’ Controversy?

Soon after concluding a press conference conducted by Congress top brass to raise concerns over “frozen party accounts” on Thursday, Rahul Gandhi, while responding to the reporters, said, “We are fighting against hatred-filled ‘Asura-shakti”.

It is to be noted that the “Asura-Shakti” remark by Gandhi comes after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) approached the Election Commission of India against the Congress leader over his “fight against a shakti” remarks. 

Take A Look At The Video Here: 

#WATCH | As Congress bank accounts frozen, party leader Rahul Gandhi in Delhi says, “We are fighting against hatred-filled ‘Asura-shakti’ ” pic.twitter.com/BfCU95NiOM

— ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2024

On Wednesday, The BJP filed a complaint with the EC over Gandhi’s “shakti” remark. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri told reporters that he read Gandhi’s remarks verbatim and delivered a detailed presentation to the poll panel.

In reaction to Gandhi’s “Asuri-Shakti” remark, BJP leader Nalin Kohli told news agency ANI, “By calling a government elected by the people ‘Asura’shakti’, the Congress is confirming that they have no faith in the people of India, voters of India, those who determine the destiny of India.”

“Do they believe that people vote for Asuras? The fact of the matter is that the Congress party has no credible reason to go before the people, it’s looking for excuses and others to blame for their inadequacies,” he said. 

#WATCH | Reacting to Rahul Gandhi’s “Asura-shakti” remark, BJP leader Nalin Kohli says, “…By calling a government elected by the people ‘Asura’shakti’, the Congress is confirming that they have no faith in the people of India, voters of India, those who determine the destiny of… pic.twitter.com/Yaplh19qD4

— ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2024

At a rally in Mumbai on Sunday, Gandhi had said, “We are not fighting against a political party…We are not fighting against Narendra Modi or a single person. However, one face has been projected to the forefront”. 

“In Hinduism, there is a term called ‘shakti’. We’re fighting a ‘shakti’ (power). The question arises as to what that ‘shakti’ is…,” he said in front of several I.N.D.I.A bloc of opposition leaders.

READ | ‘BJP Fighting Polls To Establish Dictatorship’: Oppn Responds To Saffron Party Over Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Shakti’ Remark

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the BJP’s attack on Rahul Gandhi’s “shakti” remarks, saying that those who seek to destroy “shakti” will be destroyed themselves. Addressing a rally in Salem, Tamil Nadu, on Tuesday, he claimed that the INDIA bloc’s constituents would never speak ill of any other faith but would not hesitate to abuse the Hindu religion.

Gandhi clarified on Monday that he was not referring to any religious power, but rather the “shakti” of unrighteousness, corruption, and falsehood.

READ | ‘Can’t Afford Railway Tickets’: Rahul Gandhi Attacks PM Modi For ‘Criminal Action’ On Congress, Lashes Out At Institutions