'Why Does He Identify Himself As OBC?': Rahul Tears Into PM Modi On 'Poverty Only Caste' Remark

Addressing a rally in poll-bound Chhattisgarh, Rahul Gandhi claimed PM Narendra Modi and the BJP leaders speak as if Dalits and the tribals don’t exist.

New Delhi: Launching a blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asked why does the former identify himself as a member of the Other Backward Class (OBC) when he considers poverty to be the only caste in the country.

Addressing a rally at Jagdalpur in tribal-dominated Bastar division in poll-bound Chhattisgarh, Rahul Gandhi claimed the prime minister and the BJP leaders speak as if Dalits and the tribals don’t exist.

“We all know there are Dalits, adivasis, and backward class people in the country. But, PM Modi says there is only one caste and that is poverty. If this is the case, then why does he call himself an OBC,” Gandhi said.

His remarks come in the wake of a poll rally addressed by PM Modi in Durg earlier in the day, where he said there exists only one caste in the country and that is poverty. He also took potshots at the Congress saying if the prime minister is an OBC, why does the grand old party abuse the entire community.

“Why is the Congress abusing the entire OBC community? If Modi is an OBC, then what is the fault of the entire community,” PM Modi had said.

Rahul Gandhi also slammed the saffron party for insulting the tribals by addressing them as ‘vanvasis’ (forest dwellers) and not ‘adivasis’ (original dwellers).

“BJP leaders use vanvasi term for adivasi in their speeches. Narendra Modi and RSS have coined this new term vanvasi. There is a huge difference between the terms vanvasi and adivasi. Adivasi is a revolutionary word. They are the original dwellers of the country. The BJP does not use this word because if they do, they will then have to return your land, water, and forests to you,” PM Modi said.

He further claimed that although PM Modi refrains from using the term ‘vanvasi’ in his speech, he still has not been able to change his thought process.

He also targeted the BJP over the Congress demand for caste census.

Addressing another rally in Raigarh district, Rahul Gandhi said the prime minister’s guarantees are “nothing but lies”.

“PM Modi had said Rs 15 lakh will be deposited in the bank account of every citizen. Have you received the money yet? He had promised to provide 2 crore jobs every year. Has it been done?” the Congress leader said.