Congress raps Saharanpur candidate Imran Masood for ‘Chop Modi’ remark

NEW DELHI: The Congress high command on Friday censored its Saharanpur candidate Imran Masood for his remarks, “chop Narendra Modi into pieces”, and asked him to issue a public clarification. The BJP leadership was quick to launch an attack on the Congress leadership by citing Masood’s remarks against its prime ministerial candidate and sought the intervention of the Election Commission.

Soon after Masood’s remarks became a controversy, AICC spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, “Congress party abjures violence whether of language or otherwise. The high command, especially, Rahul Gandhi, has always asked partymen to restrain themselves from using objectionable remarks even against worst critics of Congress ”.

He further said, “when an explanation was sought from the candidate (Masood), he claimed he was being misquoted. The leadership has asked him to give an appropriate clarification to the media. ”

Earlier in the day, BJP was up in arms soon after the video of Masood’s speech went viral. Masood was shown saying, “If Modi tries to make UP into Gujarat, then we will chop him into tiny pieces…I am not scared of getting killed or attacking someone. I will fight against Modi. He thinks UP is Gujarat. Only 4% Muslims are there while there are 42% Muslims in UP.” (9% in Gujarat and 19% in UP, actually)

Taking strong objection, BJP spokesrperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said, “The manner in which our prime ministerial candidate is being targeted by Congress is condemnable. Congress Lok Sabha candidate from Saharanpur Imran Masood has used insulting and derogatory words against Modi. His language is aimed at inciting and encouraging violence.”