‘Challenge-Wars’: Rahul Gandhi is now employing his ‘troll army’ against the might of PM Modi

Unable to counter the might of PM Modi on his own, rattled Rahul Gandhi have deployed his ‘troll army’ against the PM. Now, Jignesh Mevani and Divya Spandana have parachuted into the ongoing ‘dare and counter-dare challenge’ between PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi. Jignesh Mevani, an independent MLA from the Vadgam constituency in Gujarat, challenged PM Modi. He tweeted, “It’s my challenge to Mr. Modi- can he continuously speak for just four minutes as to what he has done on the following four issues in last four years : (1) 2 crore jobs, (2) farmers committing suicide, (3) attacks on Dalits , minorities and women (4) inflation… (sic)”  

Mevani’s counter challenge has come after 30 hours since PM Modi issued counter-challenge to Rahul Gandhi. PM Modi had said, “I challenge you to speak for 15 minutes on the achievements of your government in Karnataka without reading from any piece of paper. You can speak in Hindi, English or your ‘mata ki matra-bhasha’ (mother’s mother tongue) and mention ‘Vishweshwaraiah’ at least five times in the speech (sic).” Rahul Gandhi has not responded to the counter challenge, yet. The Congress party’s twitter handle, which is infamous for rather aggressive and crass replies, is also on silent mode since 10:23 am on Tuesday. In response to Rahul Gandhi’s challenge PM Modi said,” “His speaking for 15 minutes is itself a big thing… Congress president, sir, we cannot sit before you. You are ‘naamdar‘ (famous), while I am ‘kaamdar‘ (ordinary worker). We have no status to sit in front of you (sic).”

PM Modi also took a jibe at Rahul Gandhi’s elite pedigree, saying, “He (Rahul Gandhi) has challenged me and said if he speaks for 15 minutes in parliament I will not be able to sit. He is correct – there is no way ordinary people like me, who do not even dress well, can sit with such high and mighty people like the him (sic).” 

On the other hand, Congress social media head Divya Spandana issued her own challenge by stating, “We challenge you to speak the truth for 15 minutes. Actually, we’ll make it easier since you’re the PM, can you try speaking the truth just for 1 minute?” she tweeted.

The incumbent Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah also tried to shield Rahul Gandhi with his own counter-challenge to PM Modi. He tweeted, “Dear PM @narendramodi ji, I challenge you to speak about the achievements of B S Yeddyurappa’s Govt in Karnataka for 15 minutes by looking at a paper. Sincerely Siddaramaiah (sic).”

Since PM Modi’s counter-challenge to Rahul Gandhi, everyone seems to be issuing challenges to PM Modi except Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi has maintained a stoic silence on PM Modi’s challenge.  This clearly shows the failure of Rahul Gandhi on all fronts. He doesn’t just fail to win elections but he fails to accept any kind of challenges as well. He should refrain from challenging people who are clearly bigger and better than him and stick to what he does best – unintentional comedy, losing elections and contributing towards the demolition of his party.

As far as challenges of Divya Spandana and Jignesh Mevani to PM Modi are concerned, in the words of Mark Twain, “Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.” It looks like PM Modi knows this very well. A crocodile hunter doesn’t smash bugs.  PM Modi understands very well that there is no use of fighting with irrelevant people such as Jignesh Mevani.