Union Minister hits back at Rahul Gandhi with ‘Pappu’ jibe following Kharge’s letter to PM Modi

PTC News Desk: Following Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s recent letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in which he criticized some BJP members for their derogatory remarks about Rahul Gandhi, Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu has reignited the controversy. Bittu, who had earlier sparked outrage by referring to Gandhi as the “number one terrorist,” dismissed the Congress leader with a new jab, calling him “Pappu,” a Hindi term meaning foolish or childish.

Bittu, speaking to ANI, remarked, “They (Congress) made him (Gandhi) the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, but he remains a ‘Pappu’. Instead of lecturing others, Mallikarjun Kharge should focus on educating his ‘Pappu’.”

#WATCH | On Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s letter to the PM, Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu says, “They (Congress) made him LoP, but still ‘Pappu (Rahul Gandhi) Pappu hi raha’…Instead of teaching other leaders, Mallikarjun Kharge should teach his ‘Pappu’ (Rahul… pic.twitter.com/Hu6Mfk3sM4

— ANI (@ANI) September 17, 2024

He emphasised that his comments were made not just as a politician, but from a personal standpoint as a Sikh.

The controversy comes amid Gandhi’s recent trip to the United States, his first foreign visit as Leader of Opposition. During this visit, Gandhi made statements that drew criticism back home. At an event in Virginia, he discussed issues concerning the Sikh community, stating, “The fight is about whether a Sikh will be allowed to wear a turban in India; or whether a Sikh will be allowed to wear a kada in India; or whether a Sikh is allowed to go to a Gurdwara. That’s what the fight is about, and for all religions.”

The remarks and subsequent backlash have fueled ongoing political tensions between Congress and the BJP, reflecting the broader friction in Indian politics.