Rahul Gandhi kept mum while Mani Shankar Aiyar abused PM Modi: Amit Shah

Maharajganj/Ballia: BJP president Amit Shah Thurs-day accused Congress chief Rahul Gandhi of remaining silent after his party leader Mani Shankar Aiyar hurled abuses at Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Addressing a rally in Maharajganj, he termed Aiyar “guru ghantal” (shrewd). “Mani Shan-kar Aiyar used abusive words against Prime Minister Modi but Rahul baba remai-ned silent,” Mr Shah said.

Mr Aiyar had stirred a controversy recently through an article in a newspaper, reminding readers of his “neech aadmi” comment made against Modi in 2017. He was suspended from the party for his statement.

“Can anyone tolerate abusive words against the prime minister,” Mr Shah asked voters.

Referring to the Balakot airstrike, he claimed that while there was excitement in the country and people were distributing sweets, there was “mourning” at the offices of Mr Gandhi and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav. “The glow on their faces had vanished as if their own had died,” he alleged.

Referring to Zakir Naik, Mr Shah said the controversial Islamic preacher believed that if the Congress or the Mayawati-Akhilesh Yadav alliance came to power he would not be caught.

Zakir Naik, now abroad, has been accused of delivering inflammatory speeches besides money laundering.