Sensing defeat in 2019, PM Modi has turned into Dhritarashtra, says Congress

Stepping up attack on the Modi government, Congress compared Prime Minister Modi with Mahabharat era-mythological character Dhritarashtra and his party BJP with Duryodhan.

The visually impaired, legendary king of Hastinapur, Dhritarashtra, is often used as a metaphor to describe the blindness of someone in power towards injustice and apathy of the people.

"Sensing his defeat in 2019 general election, Prime Minister Modi has become Dhritarashtra. By spreading hatred, poison of divisive politics, his sole purpose is to win the election,” said Randeep Surjewala, head of the Congress' media cell.

Invoking a Sanskrit shloka, Surjewala said even Vedas cannot teach those who are intellectually blind. He also accused the BJP of ‘disrobing’ the Indian culture.

Drawing parallel between East India Company and the BJP, Congress spokesperson said like Britishers, BJP believes in "divide and divide and divide and rule policy."

"Blinded by the power, BJP like Duryodhan is disrobing social harmony and brotherhood," said Surjewala, adding that Congress will ‘drink the poison’ for the safety of the people of India.

" Ahimsa, not extremism, represents the Indian culture. Sacrifice is Indian culture, not lust for power. Indian culture is not about humiliating others but to accept," said Surjewala, adding that Congress belongs to everyone, every Indian.

"BJP and Modi ask what is the religion of the Congress party. Indian-ness is the religion of the Congress party. Congress belongs to everyone, every religion, people of every colour, caste and region of this country, " reiterated Surjewala.

Surjewala's comment assumes significance in the backdrop of BJP's effort to portray Congress as a party for Muslims only. Going a step ahead, PM Modi had branded Congress as “party for Muslim men only.”

Addressing a meeting in UP after inaugurating the Poorvanchal Expressway, Modi had taunted that the Congress was a party for Muslim men only.

Calling PM's statement a sign of sick mentality, Surjewala said Congress believed in the philosophy that “every religion is equal.”