Click to Expand & PlayNew Delhi: The Congress is trying its best to defend Rahul Gandhi's controversial remarks about workers from Uttar Pradesh being forced to move to Maharashtra and "beg" for work. But even the party's allies are keen to distance themselves from the controversial remark.
Today, Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party or NCP, which allies with the Congress to form the government in Maharashtra and at the Centre, suggested that Mr Gandhi's choice of words was unfortunate.
"It would have been better if Rahul hadn't said 'beg'," said NCP leader Govindrai Adik. "People come to Mumbai to work, not for fun." And then came a telling statement- "He is Rahul Gandhi, who will make him understand?"
At a rally yesterday in Phulpur, 30 kms from Allahabad, Mr Gandhi told the thousands gathered that their state was regressing under the leadership of "the mafia" who runs the state. He did not mention Mayawati by name, but he took multiple swipes at how she has failed the people of Uttar Pradesh. 'How long will you beg in Maharashtra (for work)? How long will you work as a labourer in Punjab? It will take only five years and the change will come," he said, asking the crowd to give the Congress "a chance for five years."
The remarks triggered political fault lines from UP to Maharashtra. In Mumbai, where the Congress has always taken on the Shiv Sena for suggesting migrant workers from Bihar and UP are not welcome, Mr Gandhi's comment drew a sharp response. "Let him take them back to his home... When we say it, we are blamed. But now, isn't Rahul talking about regional politics? Now, isn't Rahul spoiling the country's mood?" Uddhav Thackeray, Executive President of the Shiv Sena said.
BJP Maharashtra leader Gopinath Munde said, "If someone goes out for work, that is not called begging for work... Rahul has insulted the people of UP and Bihar."
In Lucknow, Mayawati retaliated, "The people of UP are hardworking and proud, not beggars. Rahul's comment is wrong, insulting."
The Congress says that Mr Gandhi's expression should not be misinterpreted- that those who attack his choice of words are missing the sentiment behind them. Party spokesperson Renuka Chowdhury explained, "Rahul tried to awaken the sense of self respect of those from UP."
In Mumbai, Kripashankar Singh, President of the Mumbai Congress, said that there is no need to go by the word 'beg'. "We need to understand Rahul's sentiments. He was only expressing pain of the people of Uttar Pradesh."
Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan however deflected the question when asked to comment on the issue. "Let's talk on the issue of farmers, " Chavan said in Shirdi.
In Delhi, Rahul's aides said he writes his own speeches, and in this case he spoke without a script as he often does. They said Rahul's words may have left him open to unflattering interpretation but that was certainly not his intention
The Congress is in a dilemma- on one hand they need to defend Rahul's remark, while on the other, they need to ensure they don't alienate north Indian voters, especially at a time when municipal elections are not too far.
Today, Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party or NCP, which allies with the Congress to form the government in Maharashtra and at the Centre, suggested that Mr Gandhi's choice of words was unfortunate.
"It would have been better if Rahul hadn't said 'beg'," said NCP leader Govindrai Adik. "People come to Mumbai to work, not for fun." And then came a telling statement- "He is Rahul Gandhi, who will make him understand?"
At a rally yesterday in Phulpur, 30 kms from Allahabad, Mr Gandhi told the thousands gathered that their state was regressing under the leadership of "the mafia" who runs the state. He did not mention Mayawati by name, but he took multiple swipes at how she has failed the people of Uttar Pradesh. 'How long will you beg in Maharashtra (for work)? How long will you work as a labourer in Punjab? It will take only five years and the change will come," he said, asking the crowd to give the Congress "a chance for five years."
The remarks triggered political fault lines from UP to Maharashtra. In Mumbai, where the Congress has always taken on the Shiv Sena for suggesting migrant workers from Bihar and UP are not welcome, Mr Gandhi's comment drew a sharp response. "Let him take them back to his home... When we say it, we are blamed. But now, isn't Rahul talking about regional politics? Now, isn't Rahul spoiling the country's mood?" Uddhav Thackeray, Executive President of the Shiv Sena said.
BJP Maharashtra leader Gopinath Munde said, "If someone goes out for work, that is not called begging for work... Rahul has insulted the people of UP and Bihar."
In Lucknow, Mayawati retaliated, "The people of UP are hardworking and proud, not beggars. Rahul's comment is wrong, insulting."
The Congress says that Mr Gandhi's expression should not be misinterpreted- that those who attack his choice of words are missing the sentiment behind them. Party spokesperson Renuka Chowdhury explained, "Rahul tried to awaken the sense of self respect of those from UP."
In Mumbai, Kripashankar Singh, President of the Mumbai Congress, said that there is no need to go by the word 'beg'. "We need to understand Rahul's sentiments. He was only expressing pain of the people of Uttar Pradesh."
Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan however deflected the question when asked to comment on the issue. "Let's talk on the issue of farmers, " Chavan said in Shirdi.
In Delhi, Rahul's aides said he writes his own speeches, and in this case he spoke without a script as he often does. They said Rahul's words may have left him open to unflattering interpretation but that was certainly not his intention
The Congress is in a dilemma- on one hand they need to defend Rahul's remark, while on the other, they need to ensure they don't alienate north Indian voters, especially at a time when municipal elections are not too far.
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