Ahead of elections in Gujarat, a rather ‘derogatory’ tweet by Indian Youth Congress’s online magazine Yuva Desh, calling PM Modi a ‘Chai-Wala’ (tea-seller) has angered many. 

This meme, that has created an uproar online, comes in the wake of Election Commission’s decision to bar BJP from using a similar degrading term ‘Pappu’ for Rahul Gandhi in their election ads in Gujarat. 

In no time, several took to twitter to condemn this tasteless and ‘elitist’ tweet. What is to be noted, however, is that many pointed out that this tasteless joke may do more harm to Congress than PM Modi. Remember how the BJP milked Mani Shankar Aiyar’s ‘chaiwallah’ jibe at Modi during the run-up to Lok Sabha polls by starting a campaign called ‘chai pe charcha’? 

The Tweet, however, was soon deleted and an apology was extended by members of Indian Youth Congress and Congress alike as they blamed it on a thoughtless volunteer. 

However, a similar tweet by BJP MP Paresh Rawal mocking the meme backfired after it was flaked for being in poor taste too. He soon deleted the tweet too. 

Previously in 2014, Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar stirred up a controversy when he took a jibe at then BJP PM candidate Narendra Modi’s past profession. 

“I promise you in 21st Century Narendra Modi will never become the Prime Minister of the country. …But if he wants to distribute tea here, we will find a place for him,” he was quoted as saying by First Post. 

BJP all set to milk the error of Yuva Desh

Aiyar’s tasteless remark is said to have proved to be a body blow to the Congress’s chances in Lok Sabha as the BJP picked up the remark and blew it up into a full-fledged campaign to promote PM Modi. Will the BJP do it again during the run up to Gujarat Assembly polls?

Seems likely. Here’s how various BJP leaders have reacted to the joke.

Sudhanshu Trivedi told ANI, “Yuva Desh deleting the tweet means nothing now. The damage is done, be it intentional or unintentional. This also clearly shows the feudal mindset of the Congress.”

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