Senior Congress leader addresses Rahul as ‘pappu’ on Whatsapp group, faces red: Reports

Rahul Gandhi called 'pappu' on Whatsapp group by senior Congress leader/ File image

New Delhi: The Congress party is facing red from the opposition after it allegedly ‘punished’ a senior party leader for calling party Vice President Rahul Gandhi as ‘pappu’ on a Whatsapp group. 46-year-old Gandhi, who has been known as a ‘youth icon’, is mockingly referred to as ‘Pappu’(young clueless boy) by senior Bharatiya Janta Party leaders such as Amit Shah at various occasions. As per media reports, Congress leaders are refuting to the entire incidence and claim that “the Whatsapp messages being shared on the social media are morphed”. Even Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju shared the clip of a news report and said, “Senior Congress leader punished for praising Rahul Gandhi! He thought Pappu is an appropriate word for Rahul Gandhi ji...”

Senior Congress leader punished for praising Rahul Gandhi! He thought #Pappu is an appropriate word for Rahul Gandhi ji... pic.twitter.com/rdAR3HsCmz

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) June 14, 2017

Rahul on Tuesday announced on Twitter that he would be flying to Italy, where he would be staying for a few days to meet his grandmother. Opposition has been scathing attacks on Gandhi for his Italy visit. Even in the past BJP has questioned Rahul’s absence from the country a couple of times when he has been out for foreign trips.