In discussing wealth redistribution, PM Modi referenced former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's remarks, alleging that the Congress believes Muslims have the "first claim to the nation's wealth."
He also accused the Congress of intending to redistribute assets among infiltrators if it wins the upcoming election.
Prasad likened the Congress manifesto to redistributing points in the IPL, suggesting that the bottom-ranked team could qualify for the playoffs if points were redistributed from higher-ranked teams.
"One of the political party's manifestos is to redistribute wealth of the rich to the poor.
The Congress manifesto says they will calculate the gold with mothers and sisters, get information about it and then distribute that property.
Venkatesh Prasad joins wealth redistribution debate (file photo) Photo : Twitter
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent address in Rajasthan's Banswara has stirred controversy by criticising the Congress's proposal to redistribute wealth if it regains power. In discussing wealth redistribution, PM Modi referenced former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's remarks, alleging that the Congress believes Muslims have the "first claim to the nation's wealth." He also accused the Congress of intending to redistribute assets among infiltrators if it wins the upcoming election. Against this backdrop, a former Indian cricketer entered the fray, drawing parallels with the IPL to illustrate his stance on the matter.
Former Indian cricket pace bowler Venkatesh Prasad weighed in on the issue, drawing an analogy from the Indian Premier League (IPL) to express his stance. Prasad likened the Congress manifesto to redistributing points in the IPL, suggesting that the bottom-ranked team could qualify for the playoffs if points were redistributed from higher-ranked teams.
"One of the political party's manifestos is to redistribute wealth of the rich to the poor. The poor need to be uplifted but this thought process is so pathetic," Prasad remarked on X (formerly Twitter).
"It is like saying 'if we take 4 points from Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Sunrisers Hyderabad, and re-distribute it to the bottom 3 teams, they can make the playoffs."
PM Modi was delivering an election speech in Rajasthan's Banswara when he made the remark which, Opposition said, was an attempt to divert attention from "real issues".
"This 'urban Naxal' mindset, mothers and sisters, they will not even leave your 'mangalsutra'. They can go to that level... The Congress manifesto says they will calculate the gold with mothers and sisters, get information about it and then distribute that property. They will distribute it to whom - Manmohan Singh's government had said Muslims have the first right on the country's assets," PM Modi said at the rally on Sunday.
"It will be distributed to infiltrators. Should your hard-earned money go to infiltrators? Do you approve of this?" PM Modi said.
"Is it acceptable to you? Do governments have the right to confiscate your property which you have earned through hard work? The gold with our mothers and sisters is not for showing off; it is related to their self-respect. The value of their mangalsutra is not in gold or its price, but is related to her dreams in life. And you are talking about snatching it?" PM Modi said.
PM Modi's remarks in Banswara faced strong opposition from various quarters, including Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav. Gandhi accused PM Modi of spreading "lies," while Owaisi criticised the Prime Minister for his alleged anti-Muslim stance.
PM Modi's comments referred to a statement made by Manmohan Singh in 2006, where Singh emphasised the need for minorities, particularly Muslims, to have equitable access to development resources.
The exchange comes against the backdrop of heightened political tensions between the BJP-led NDA and the Congress-led INDIA opposition bloc, with PM Modi accusing the Congress of promoting divisive policies in its election manifesto.
This is not the first instance where Prasad has shown support for the BJP. He has previously criticised the Congress and aligned himself with the ruling party. In December, he mocked the Congress over their anticipated losses in state elections.
"Abusing Sanatana Dharma was bound to have its consequences," Prasad remarked on X.
The political landscape continues to be charged as parties exchange barbs and accusations ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, with issues like wealth redistribution and religious sentiments taking centre stage.
