Kerala LDF MLA’s “DNA: remark against Rahul Gandhi sparks major controversy
Thiruananthapuram: Ruling CPM-led LDF MLA P.B. Anvar has courted a major controversy by stating Rahul Gandhi’s DNA should be examined to ascertain whether he belongs to the Gandhi family.
Anwar made the remarks at an election meeting and chose to refer to the Congress as “Rahul” and avoided mentioning Gandhi surname throughout his speech. The Nilambur MLA’s attack was in response to Rahul Gandhi’s criticism against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan during his recent election campaign meetings in Kerala.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan backed Anwar’s remarks and said Rahul Gandhi should be aware of the reaction he might get in Kerala for his mindless statements. “Rahul is making statements based on what the local Congress leaders are feeding him in Kerala. He is not capable of thinking independently,” the Chief Minister said.
Pinarayi said this was the reason why he had cautioned Rahul from making statements that justified the name given to him by his adversaries in the past. The Chief Minister was indirectly referring to the name “Pappu”.
Rahul Gandhi had accused Pinarayi of attacking him regularly and being soft on Narendra Modi. “While a sitting chief minister and a former CM were in jail for taking on the BJP, there was no action against Pinarayi Vijayan whose name is linked to certain cases including CMRL and gold smuggling. At a time when the BJP is going after Opposition leaders who are criticising Modi the Centre is neither registering cases nor arresting Pinarayi Vijayan,” Rahul alleged.
Reacting to this remark, Anvar said, “It’s hard to believe that someone born into Nehru’s family can speak in this fashion. He has no right to be called Nehru’s great-grandson”.
Meanwhile, The Congress leadership filed a complaint with the Election Commission against Anvar seeking police action for his remarks.
PCC president M.M. Hassan in a letter to the EC, likened Anvar to Nathuram Godse who killed Mahatma Gandhi. “Anvar’s words pose a greater danger than the bullets of Godse,” the PCC president said.
