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"Trying To Run Out Each Other": PM Modi Targets Ashok Gehlot-Sachin Pilot Tussle Using Cricket Metaphors In Rajasthan
Nishtha Anushree
Nov 21, 2023, 04:59 PM | Updated 05:01 PM IST
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During a political rally in Rajasthan, PM Narendra Modi employed cricketing metaphors to criticise the Congress party, specifically referencing the internal conflict between Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot. Modi remarked that Congress leaders "forget to make runs and try to run out each other."
Modi further utilised cricket terminology, mentioning that some Congress players had been out "hit wicket" with their remarks about women. Although he did not name Shanti Dhariwal, a cabinet colleague of CM Gehlot who had previously referred to Rajasthan as "mardo ka pradesh (land of macho men)," the PM alluded to such statements.
Accusing a section of Congress leaders of being "busy fixing matches," Modi appealed to the audience to secure at least five to seven centuries (500-700 votes) for BJP candidates in every polling booth. He assured that the "crooked squad will be bowled out" if voters supported the BJP, as per the Times of India report.
Modi criticised the alleged politics of appeasement under the Congress-led Gehlot government, claiming that religious processions were denied permission while organizations like "terrorist outfits like PFI" were allowed to stage demonstrations. He emphasised that invoking the name of God had become difficult under Congress rule.
Responding to CM Gehlot's criticisms of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's visit to Rajasthan, Modi referred to Gehlot as 'Jadugar' (magician) and questioned the Congress party's reaction to Dhankhar's appointment as Vice President. He suggested that Gehlot was irritated by Dhankhar's visit to Rajasthan and questioned whether no one should visit their relatives.
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Nishtha Anushree is Senior Sub-editor at Swarajya. She tweets at @nishthaanushree.
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