A meme shared by Youth Congress’ Twitter handle has caused quite a stir. The youth wing’s handle Yuva Desh turned an image of PM Modi talking to US President Donald Trump, and UK PM Theresa May. Along the same lines as the previously viral ‘maymay’ memes, the chat boxes show Modi mispronouncing the word, Trump correcting him and May asking him to go back to selling tea.
Taking umbrage at the now deleted post, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad was one of the first to respond, tweeting: “Madam Sonia Gandhi & Mr Rahul Gandhi do u still believe that only u have a divine right to rule India? Country expects ur response on the tweet of the youth Congress, which is shameful & insulting to poor. U can delete the Tweet but ur thinking towards the poor stands exposed.”
Madam Sonia Gandhi & Mr Rahul Gandhi do u still believe that only u have a divine right to rule India? Country expects ur response on the tweet of the youth Congress, which is shameful & insulting to poor. U can delete the Tweet but ur thinking towards the poor stands exposed. pic.twitter.com/TKQho0lAiB
— Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) November 21, 2017
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— RSPrasad Office (@OfficeOfRSP) November 21, 2017
Calling Rahul Gandhi, the ‘crown prince’, Vijay Rupani, the CM of Gujarat had this to say:
This blatantly classist and anti-poor Tweet by the Youth Congress shows their mindset towards India’s poor. Does Crown Prince @OfficeOfRG support this? https://t.co/gOqRqWIfL4
— Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) November 21, 2017
Pointing out PM Modi’s humble beginnings as a tea seller in Gujurat as been a running theme by the opposition. Even in the run-up to the 2014 general elections, Congress leaders – including Mani Shankar Aiyar – had scoffed at the idea of him becoming the prime minister. “..if he wants to distribute tea here, we will find a place for him,” Aiyar had offered.
Responding to the massive trolling by BJP supporters and the response of party leaders, Randeep Surjewala, the Congress spokesperson tweeted: “INC strongly disapproves & rejects such humour through memes. Differences on policy and opinion aside, Congress culture imbibes respect for PM and all political opponents.”
INC strongly disapproves & rejects such humour through memes. Differences on policy and opinion aside, Congress culture imbibes respect for PM and all political opponents. https://t.co/RqLOugCHwh
— Randeep S Surjewala (@rssurjewala) November 21, 2017
Amarinder Singh Raja, the National President of Indian Youth Congress apologised for the meme as well, declaring that they ‘do not approve of such humour’.
Although the handle @Yuvadesh is being run by youth volunteers and not by @iyc ,we do not approve of such humour and apologise.
Despite political differences with the BJP & having suffered everyday abuse from their leaders, we respect the Prime Minister & all political opponents.— Amarinder Singh Raja (@RajaBrar_INC) November 21, 2017
Responding to Raja’s tweet, Yuva Desh put in their apologies as well:
Sincere apologies Raja Sir. As directed by you the tweet has been deleted.
Will ensure that the mistake does not happen again. https://t.co/lAEWkO5Ryi
— Yuva Desh (@yuvadesh) November 21, 2017
