Modi's some ministers are horses with donkey's skin: Gandhi
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 04 December 2014 23:21 IST
“Narendra Modi has few cabinet ministers, who are horses having skin of donkeys”, says Rajmohan Gandhi, grandson and biographer of Mahatma Gandhi.
He made this startling statement at the inaugural of the fifth edition of Goa Art and Literary Festival that began in Panaji today evening.
After the inaugural, he was in conversation with Sagarika Ghose, consulting editor of Times of India, on ‘Is Indian democracy a healthy Democracy’?
Gandhi lauded Modi for some good initiatives like Swatch Bharat Abhiyan, his bold stand on girl child and even his initiative regarding the disabled.
“He has even inducted some good ministers recently like Goa’s former chief minister Manohar Parrikar. But it is a disappointment there are also some horses having skin of donkeys in his cabinet”, he said.
He however did not name anybody in particular.
Gandhi also expressed the fact that not a single Muslim has been elected the MP from Uttar Pradesh, one of the biggest states in the country having around 17 per cent Muslim community.
“Being a Muslim is neither a crime nor a sin”, he said, in reply to Sagarika’s question of whether the recent election was a reflection of rise of religious majoritarianism.
Gandhi however expressed satisfaction that the prime minister objected to the statement made by one of his woman minister relating to Ram and Haram.
“This should happen more frequently when such objectionable statements are made”, said Mahatma’s grandson.
While replying to the role media as well as money power played in the recently held Lok Sabha election, he said: “excessive use of money in such a manner grounds democracy.”
While agreeing to the fact that such excessive use of money power does not provide level-playing filed for everybody, he also felt that the provision imposing limit on expenditure of only the candidates and not the party needs to be revisited.
When Sagarika pointed out that Mahatma Gandhi also communicated with the people like how Modi does, he quipped: “Gandhi was a master communicator but never marketed himself. He marketed freedom and several other pubic causes, but not himself.”
Does constitution or electoral law make it mandatory to give tickets based on caste and religion? Who has stopped winnable muslims from joining BJP? As regards use of money power the new rule was drafted by Indira Gandhi. Mr. Rajmohan Gandhi conveniently forgets the use of money power and govt machinery during Indira Gandhi's time. Khel Congress-ne shuru kiya hai abhi BJP khel khatam karenge. Go on weeping.
What is this Art and culture festival about? It should be renamed as festival of critiquing Modi and Parrikker. There is no pure intentionded Art nor Culture. Only malicious intentioned art and culture.