Weeks after exchanging jabs with Congressman Rahul Gandhi on the Assam leg of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has launched a new attack on the latter due to a viral video.
Rahul Gandhi is seen caressing a puppy in the widely shared video that was taken during the yatra in Jharkhand. The head of Congress then requests a pack of biscuits from his assistants so he can give them to his pet. Several of his followers can be seen attempting to speak with him at this point. In between greetings, Gandhi gives the dog a feed. He can be seen giving the dog a biscuit at one point. Rahul appears to be giving the biscuit to a supporter who is speaking to him as the dog turns away.
The official Bharat Jodo Yatra handle shared a video of Rahul Gandhi petting the puppy but that clip does not show the biscuit episode. The “biscuit” video has now gone viral, with many accusing the Congress leader of mistreating his supporters and party workers.
A brief pause for a paw-some furry friend. 🐾#BharatJodoNyayYatra pic.twitter.com/ccysNDVIHr
— Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra (@bharatjodo) February 4, 2024
Some users have, however, claimed that the puppy belonged to the supporter Mr Gandhi was speaking to and that the Congress leaders had given him the biscuits to feed the puppy later.
Pallavi ji, not only Rahul Gandhi but the entire family could not make me eat that biscuit. I am a proud Assamese and Indian . I refused to eat and resign from the Congress. https://t.co/ywumO3iuBr
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (Modi Ka Parivar) (@himantabiswa) February 5, 2024
The Assam Chief Minister, who previously served in the Congress, was labeled by many for his opinions on the subject. Mr. Sarma has frequently related an episode in which he went to see Mr. Gandhi for a meeting along with other senior Congress officials. He claims that Pidi, Mr. Gandhi’s pet dog, nibbled on biscuits from a platter during the meeting. Then, Mr. Sarma has stated in numerous interviews, the Congress leaders were handed biscuits from the same dish. In these interviews, Mr. Sarma has strengthened his argument that Mr. Gandhi isn’t sincere about important party issues by citing the purported incident. He also said that he quit the Congress quickly after.
The Assam leader did not miss the opportunity to double down on his charge when the latest video went viral. Responding to a user who had tagged him, he said “not only Rahul Gandhi but the entire family could not make me eat that biscuit”. “I am a proud Assamese and Indian. I refused to eat and resign from the Congress,” he said.
Rahul Gandhi was also bashed by other BJP leaders over the viral video. Amit Malviya said “it is natural for a party to become extinct when its prince behaves treats party workers like dogs”.
