Stop being a hypocrite Rahul Gandhi, BJP's GVL Narasimha Rao tweeted. (File photo)
Highlights
- BJP hits out at Congress over Sena praising Nathuram Godse
- BJP said new alliance is ultimate insult to Balasaheb Thackeray
- BJP took a jibe at Sena saying, "Rename Saamana as Sonia-Nama"
The BJP tried to corner the Congress on Thursday over the Shiv Sena praising Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse in the past and wondered if this was why Rahul Gandhi was "ashamed" to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the Maharashtra government.
The Congress-NCP alliance in Maharashtra has joined hands with the Shiv Sena, a long-time Hindutva ally of the BJP before they split, and Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray was sworn-in as the chief minister on Thursday.
"Stop being a hypocrite Rahul Gandhi. You are making someone with identical views Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Udhav Thackeray, Editor-In-Chief of Saamana, wrote that Godse was a Patriot. Is that why you are ashamed to attend swearing-in," BJP spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao said in a tweet.
Rahul Gandhi had earlier attacked the BJP over its MP Pragya Thakur's praise for Nathuram Godse, saying her remarks represented the "heart and soul" of the saffron party.
Hitting back, Mr Rao said, "Is Rahul scared that hugging Uddhav Thackeray is equivalent to hanging himself? Sena is wanted for grabbing power but is an untouchable. This is how Sultanates treat slaves, not partners. This is the ultimate insult to the legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray, the pride of Maharashtra (sic)."
Taking a dig at Uddhav Thackeray, he offered his congratulations to the "Godse Bhakt" and said the Sena chief and his party MLAs had pledged their loyalty with the "Sultanate".
"Complete this surrender by renaming Saamana "Sonia Nama". They won't tolerate your nonsensical editorials dished out in your third rate paper," the BJP leader said.