Rahul Gandhi BJP’s ‘target No. 1’: Himachal CM Sukhu slams Ravneet Bittu’s ‘terrorist No. 1’ barb

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday waded into the controversy surrounding the objectionable remarks made by Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu against former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, saying the Punjab BJP leader was a “perfect example of political opportunism”.

Sukhu alleged that Rajya Sabha MP Bittu, who had unsuccessfully contested the recent Lok Sabha elections from Ludhiana after switching from the Congress to the BJP on poll eve, was now “dancing to the tunes of the BJP and targeting Rahul Gandhi, who was once his leader”.

Addressing the media in Shimla, the CM said that Rahul had always been the target number one for the BJP. At an event in Jharkhand three days ago, Bittu had targeted Rahul over his remarks on the Sikhs in the US, calling the Congress MP “terrorist number one”.

“Such people are making remarks against Rahul Gandhi only to remain relevant (in politics and the BJP) and hog the limelight. When Bittu was in the Congress, he would keep showering praises on Rahul Gandhi. But now, he has shown that he can stoop to any level to remain in power,” the CM said. He alleged that people like Bittu had no morals and were not bothered about serving people.

“Rahul is the son and grandson of two late Prime Ministers. He undertook ‘padyatra’ for thousands of km not to get some position but to raise issues of the common people and save democracy,” Sukhu remarked. He said Rahul had today become the voice of the common people and the BJP was rattled by his rising popularity.

Sukhu said in a democracy, there was bound to be criticism “but we all must maintain dignity while commenting about our political opponents”. “The Himachal Congress opposes and condemns the highly objectionable remarks by Bittu against Rahul Gandhi. I urge BJP president JP Nadda to rein in people like Bittu so that they desist from making personal remarks for petty political gains,” he said.

Responding to a query about campaigning in the Assembly polls, Sukhu said he would perform the duty that was entrusted to him by the Congress and shortly visit Jammu and Kashmir for election campaign.