Congress ‘copy cat’ ad irks BJP

New Delhi: Imitation they say is the highest form of flattery. Congress does not think so. And BJP is seething. A war of words has broken out between the two archrivals over a Congress advertisement, which appeared on Friday.

The poster saying “Main nahin hum” shows Congress icon Rahul Gandhi flanked by common Indians from all strata of society and community. The poster gives a signal that the Congress led by Rahul Gandhi has put Indians, particularly common men from all section of society and communities above everything.

Saffronites, however, are up in arms. They claimed that the Congress has “brazenly and blatantly” lifted the slogan, which was coined by its Prime Ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi.

For BJP nearly two years back Modi had come up with a slogan saying - “main nahin hum” at an annual chintan shivir organised by the Gujarat government. For the BJP, the Congress which “is devoid policy and strategy” was not being able to even ape in a dignified manner.

BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain said, “Nakal ke liye bhi akal chahiye (you need intelligence even to ape)”. He went on: “Rahul Gandhi can steal a slogan, but he cannot steal Modi’s experience, credibility and performance.”

Sniggering at the Congress Hussain said: “Congress hates Modi but loves his slogans.”

Meanwhile, countering the accusation, Congress said, the idea is the core of party’s inclusive politics and governance. “Unlike our opponent, we always believed in collectivism. It is the BJP, which always talks of I (individual) and its Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi in particular, who at times even goes to the extent that he forgets being part of an organisation,” party leader Shobha Oza said.

When asked did this not amount to plagiarism, the Congress leader shot back asking can there be an issue of copyright in case of words in dictionary. “It was we, who have given birth to so many ideas in Indian politics. Even term aam aadmi was coined by the Congress and now see how others are copying this. But this does not mean that we should question them for using the term,” she said.

Defending further the particular advertisement, Oza said, “It is the tag line - har haath shakti, har haath tarakki (power in each hand, growth in each hand) - is more important than the issue, which the BJP has been raking.”