Jaipur (Rajasthan): Rajasthan cabinet minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas on Friday took a jibe at the Bharatiya Janata Party over the latter's poster portraying Congress MP Rahul Gandhi as 'Ravan.'
Khachariyawas said that the BJP is afraid of Rahul Gandhi.
"The BJP is afraid of Rahul Gandhi. The BJP is creating an environment of fear and violence across the country. The Congress is not scared of it", he told reporters in Rajasthan's Jaipur.
Earlier on Thursday, the BJP, in its post on 'X', portrayed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as 'Ravan'.
"The new age Ravan is here. He is Evil. Anti Dharma. Anti Ram. His aim is to destroy Bharat", it said.
Meanwhile, the BJP's poster has received brickbats from the Congress party.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore condemned the move by terming it as 'unfortunate' and 'condemnable'.
"They are provoking those kinds of people to do violence against Rahul Gandhi. He is a leader who has lost his father and grandmother to violence. These kinds of promotional things from a national party are unfortunate and condemnable," Manickam Tagore said.
He further demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and JP Nadda.
"PM Modi and JP Nadda should answer it. They should apologise for it. These kinds of violent behaviour towards Opposition leaders is unacceptable," he added.
Meanwhile, Congress leader PL Punia said that it is unfortunate that such statements are made.
"As the elections will come near, their (BJP's) statements will change... It is unfortunate that such statements are made... This is BJP's nervousness that they are making such statements... This is condemnable... They are trying to change the narrative... BJP is scared that they would have to leave because of the INDIA Alliance," PL Punia said.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut also reacted over the 'Ravan' poster and said that BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have started fearing Rahul Gandhi.
"BJP, Narendra Modi and Amit Shah have started fearing Rahul Gandhi. This ensures your (BJP) defeat in the 2024 elections. The battle between Ram and Ravan was fought in this country. Ravan is a perversion that resides within BJP the most," Sanjay Raut said.
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said that the BJP is frustrated with the INDIA alliance. They know their all tactics including Hindu-Muslim have failed.
"They are frustrated with the INDIA alliance. They know their all tactics including Hindu-Muslim have failed...They talk about 'Santana Dharma'. Does 'Santana Dharma' teach you to call your opponent 'Ravan'. They meet Muslim leaders and visit Mosques abroad but in this country they lynch Muslims...They have created Godse army in the country," Mufti said.
The poster also linked the Congress leader to George Soros, a billionaire investor who has been accused of being involved in anti-India activities.
The graphic has ignited a debate on social media, with supporters and critics expressing various opinions about its symbolism and intent.
—ANI