'PM is Panauti Modi': Our boys were winning the World Cup, but Panauti made them lose, says Rahul Gandhi

Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today said that India would have won World Cup final against Australia but because of Panauti PM Narendra Modi they lost the match. Rahul said this while addressing an election rally in Rajasthan's Jalore.

"Ache bhale hamare ladke waha pe World Cup jeet jaate, par panauti harwa diya (our boys were almost winning the World Cup, but the 'bad omen' made them lose)," Rahul Gandhi said without taking any name.



Gandhi alleged Modi diverts people's attention. He said Modi "comes on TV and says 'Hindu- Muslim' and sometimes goes to a cricket match. It is a different matter that the match was lost. Panauti."

"PM means Panauti Modi," Gandhi said, insinuating that PM Modi brings bad luck.

Responding to Rahul's statement, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman dubbed Rahul Gandhi's comment as "despicably poor".

The Finance Minister further attacked the Congress for constantly hurling abuses at PM Modi. "Matches are won and lost in sports, Rahul Gandhi is continuing the Congress tradition of calling all abusive names of the Prime Minister." She expressed her disappointment that instead of staying away from these loose talks, Rahul Gandhi has joined the league of "Mani Shankar Iyer and others", referring to the latter's "chaiwala" remark on PM Modi.

The word 'panauti' has been trending on social media since the defeat in the match, attended by Prime Minister Modi at the Ahmedabad stadium named after him.

Earlier today, PMO had released a video in which PM Modi was seen consoling the Indian team members in the dressing room after the match.

"You (Indian team) have won 10 consecutive games. It's ok, it keeps on happening (referring to loss). Smile, the entire country is watching you. I just thought that I should go and meet you people," PM Modi said inside India's dressing room.

PM Modi also hailed Indian speedster Mohammed Shami and said that he had done well at the ODI World Cup 2023.

"Well done Shami. You played really well this time," PM Modi on Shami.

Modi also asked the team to 'stick together' in this difficult time following their six-wicket loss against Australia in the finals.

While concluding, the Prime Minister invited the squad to Delhi and asked them to meet again.

"You guys have worked really hard and played exceptionally well. Just stick together and keep on motivating each other. Also, whenever you are free and are in Delhi then let's meet again. You all are cordially invited from my side," he concluded.

India faced a crushing defeat against Australia in the Cricket World Cup final by six wickets played at Narendra Modi stadium on Sunday. Australia lifted the Cricket World Cup trophy for the sixth time, breaking hearts millions of Indian fans.