Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on April 5 said the Congress was affected by a “Muslim League virus” and the Opposition party retaliated by saying it was he who was a “virus” that would be “eradicated” in the election.
The verbal duel was sparked off by a a tweet from Mr. Adityanath a day after Congress chief Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination from Wayanad in Kerala.
“Muslim League is a virus. If someone is affected by this virus, he cannot survive and today main Opposition party Congress is affected by it. Think, if they win what will happen? This virus will spread in the entire nation,” Mr. Adityanath tweeted.
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The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is a long-time member of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala.
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Mr. Adityanath also mentioned the 1857 movement for freedom and its hero Mangal Pandey. “In 1857, entire country fought against Britishers with Mangal Pandey, then this Muslim League virus came and spread in such a way that the country was divided,” he said. “The same threat is looming over the country again. Green flags are once again furled. Congress is suffering from Muslim league virus, remain alert,” he stated.
Reacting to Mr. Adityanath’s statement, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala called the Chief Minister bhogi (hedonistic). The remarks were “completely intemperate,” he said.
“A virus named ‘Bhogi’ Adityanath has hung development in the largest State of Uttar Pradesh. People of Uttar Pradesh did correct that virus during the by-elections to some Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh. The virus will be completely eradicated in this Lok Sabha election,” he said.
Mr. Adityanath on April 4 accused Mr. Gandhi of having a “secret agenda” in Kerala “with the Muslim League, the same organisation which was at the root of the country’s division”.