Youth Congress meme on Modi's chaiwala past kicks up storm

New Delhi: The Congress came in for sharp criticism from all quarters, including the BJP and non-NDA leaders, over a derogatory meme targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi by an online magazine affiliated to the Indian Youth Congress.

As the BJP reminded the Congress of a similar remark by its leaders ahead of the last general polls and asserted that Gujarat, where elections are scheduled next month, will give a fitting reply, the meme mocking the Prime Minister for being a tea seller in the past was later removed.

Facing criticism, including in the social media, the Congress disapproved of the meme and tried to distance itself from it.

The Congress’ Randeep Surjewala tweeted, “Congress strongly disapproves & rejects such humour through memes. Differences on policy and opinion aside, Congress culture imbibes respect for PM and all political opponents.”

Yuva Desh, Indian Youth Congress’ online magazine, put out a picture of PM Modi in conversation with US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Theresa May on its Twitter handle. In the picture, the PM is asking them if they are aware about the various “memes” that have been put out by the Ppposition against him.

The PM is then corrected and informed about the correct pronunciation of “memes”, and also advised that he is better off ‘selling tea’.

The meme appeared even after Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi reportedly advised party leaders against making any personal attacks against the Prime Minister  during the ongoing election campaign in Gujarat.

While the BJP attacked the Congress for its “class bias and colonial hangover”, non-NDA leaders like former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah wondered about “elements of the Congress party that commit political suicide with such amazing regularity.”

With Gujarat going to polls next month,  the BJP was quick to remind the Congress of a similar remark by its leader Mani Shankar Aiyar ahead of the 2014 polls.