BJP protests in all 6 Lok Sabha constituencies in Mumbai, demands apology from Rahul Gandhi

At Lalbaug in Parel, state BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule along with minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha led the protest march.

The BJP workers, holding banners, raised slogans against Gandhi. The protest took place in Mumbai South, Mumbai North, Mumbai South Central, Mumbai North East and Mumbai North West and Mumbai North Central.

Angry BJP workers also burnt effigies of Gandhi. Bawankule addressing the workers said, “Rahul Gandhi has called people with Modi surname thieves. This is an insult to all OBCs.”

“The BJP will not tolerate any insult to the OBCs. We will fight against Congress which has hurt the sentiments of the OBC communities, ” Bawankule said. He added, “In the coming election, the OBCs will teach Congress a lesson.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi belongs to the Teli community which comes under the OBC category. During the 2019 Lok Sabha election, Gandhi in a poll campaign held in Karnataka had said, “Wonder why all thieves have Modi surname.” To substantiate his allegations, Gandhi said, “Look at the list — Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi, Narendra Modi etc.”

Objecting to his statement, a PIL was filed at a Surat court. On Thursday, the court convicted Gandhi in a defamation case and sentenced him to two years in prison. On Friday, Gandhi was disqualified as a member of the Lok Sabha.

“During the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Gandhi insulted Modi several times. At a time when the PM’s leadership is being acknowledged globally, Rahul Gandhi is speaking against the national interest and Modi both in India and outside,” he further said.

The BJP leader clarified that it was the court which held Gandhi guilty and awarded him a punishment. “Since he was convicted in a defamation case, he invited his own disqualification,” Gandhi said.

Meanwhile, the Congress has also launched a statewide protest against the BJP and called the party undemocratic.