Congress leader Rahul Gandhi briefs the media, at AICC headquarters, in New Delhi, Thursday, March 21, 2024.
Credit: PTI Photo
New Delhi: The Congress is fighting a "hate-filled asuri shakti", former party president Rahul Gandhi said on Thursday, days after his "fight against shakti" remark sparked controversy and drew a strong retort from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"Humari 'asuri shakti' se ladaai ho rahi hai, nafrat bhari 'asuri shakti' (We are fighting a demonic power, hate-filled demonic power)," Gandhi told reporters while leaving the All India Congress Committee headquarters here after addressing a press conference.
The BJP hit back at Gandhi again for his remarks, saying when his comments created chaos in the whole country, he was talking about 'asuri shakti'.
"Two days ago, Rahul Gandhi said that there is a power in the Hindu religion, and we will fight against that. When it (Rahul Gandhi's remark) created chaos in the whole country, now he is talking about ‘Asuri Shakti’," BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said.
Gandhi's "fight against Shakti" remark had sparked a controversy on Monday and drew a strong retort from Modi who said every mother and daughter was a form of "Shakti" for him and that he will sacrifice his life for their security.
Addressing poll rallies in Telangana and Karnataka, the prime minister had also said the upcoming Lok Sabha elections will be a fight between destroyers and worshippers of 'Shakti'.
As Modi seized upon Gandhi’s remark made at the opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc rally in Mumbai on Sunday, the Congress leader had also clarified that he was not talking about any religious power but the 'Shakti' of unrighteousness, corruption and falsehood.
In a post in Hindi on X, Gandhi had accused the prime minister of twisting his words and said he was speaking about the power of which Modi was wearing the mask.