Patna: Nitin Gadkari has apologised for his slip of the idiom, but he is learning the rules of national politics the hard way. Every word is magnified and forgiveness does not come easy here. And no one will let him forget that he "is a novice" yet.
The new BJP president's angry use of a Hindi proverb that likened Lalu Prasad and Mulayam Singh Yadav to dogs has created a political storm. (
Read: Gadkari abuses Lalu, Mulayam; apologises) | (
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Mulayam's Samajwadi Party has taken the high moral ground, wants an explanation and may even sue the BJP chief, and Lalu Prasad has said Gadkari must "hold his ears and apologise". (
Watch: Gadkari's apology not enough, says Lalu) (
Read: Mulayam's party threatens to take Gadkari to court)
On Wednesday night, Gadkari said in Hindi at a Chandigarh rally: "Mulayam Singh and Lalu Prasad Yadav, who were opposed to Congress and the UPA, have kneeled before the CBI. Many lawyers have changed, many affidavits have been filed during the inquiry. They used to roar like lions once upon a time. Now, like dogs, they are licking the feet of Sonia Gandhi and the Congress."
He was also quick to apologise: "I was only using a proverb. I did not use the word "dog" directly or indirectly against them. I only used this with reference to the CBI. They are respectable leaders. If they are hurt by my comments, I take back my words."
Gadkari's apology, Lalu Prasad said, was not enough and the RJD would launch a protest campaign against him - "an injection to cure Gadkari of his affliction." And, "He's a darpok, chalak. Thought he could say it in Chandigarh and get away with it."
Lalu, eye firmly fixed on elections in Bihar, has spotted a chance to mobilise cadres. The RJD has announced that it will burn effigies of Gadkari across Bihar.
Condemning Gadkari's language, Lalu said, "He called us dogs...Gadkari needlessly abused Mulayam and me...We will teach him a lesson." He pointed out there had been other BJP leaders like Advani, who had even been arrested, but never had such words been heard. "Many people have used words against me in the past...But no one has ever used such words...I wonder how such a man can be BJP president," Lalu said.
The leit motif through Lalu's attack was the fact that the BJP president was but a novice, put in an exalted position and controlled by the RSS.
Words echoed by a scornful Congress. Spokesman Manish Tiwari used some catchy epithets for the new BJP president. An "extension board of the RSS where BJP leaders plug in" to connect to the parent body, "a spoilt child," and "not a political heavyweight," are some of the descriptions Tiwari tossed as he dismissed Gadkari's words as being "of little importance."
The other victim of Gadkari's vitriol, Mulayam Singh Yadav, is yet to personally voice his protest, but his party has demanded an explanation from the BJP president. In a matter of minutes, Samajwadi Party spokesman Mohan Singh made many references to the exact phrase Gadkari had used as though loath to let anyone forget what the BJP president had said.
Mulayam's son Akhilesh Yadav said: "The Samajwadi Party follows Dr Ram Manohar Lohia's principles. It has faith in change healthy, decent democracy, we do not believe in using change foul language even against our political rivals.''
That would make the BJP wince. Just a few days ago, the party went all out in its attack against senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar for an abusive comment against Arun Jaitley.
Now all spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman will say is: "The president held a press conference in Chandigarh. He's explained it. He retracted statement and expressed regret. From our side, there's no more we need to add." Clearly, a party on the backfoot. For the man sent to fix things in the BJP, has put the party in a fix.