Modi, a 'boxer' who punched Advani, says Rahul Gandhi

Bhiwani (Har): Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a "boxer" who entered the ring to fight unemployment but ended up punching his "coach" and veteran BJP leader L K Advani.

The Gandhi scion used the boxer analogy at a poll rally in Bhiwani, which is known as India's boxing nursery and has produced famous boxers including Vijender Singh, who is fighting the Lok Sabha polls as a Congress nominee in the national capital.

He accused the "boxer PM" of sidelining Advani, saying the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader was "punched in the face" by Modi.

"A boxer Narendra Modi, who boasted of his 56-inch chest, entered the ring to fight unemployment, farmers' issue, corruption and other issues," the Congress chief said.

"For the last five years, this boxer has hit India's poor, weaker sections, farmers and now people are saying they do not want this boxer. He failed to understand who is he fighting against," said Gandhi, accusing Modi of "betraying" the people of the country. "Narendra Modi's coach Advani ji, other team members like Gadkari were there... Modi entered the ring and the first thing he did was to deliver a punch on Advani's face," he said, adding that the prime minister had "insulted" the senior BJP leader.

After punching Advani, this boxer knocked out small shopkeepers with demonetisation and Gabbar Singh Tax, said Rahul Gandhi referring to the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

"Entire country knows how adversely these decisions hit them," he said.

The "boxer PM" did not stop here, and delivered a punch to the farmers who were seeking a hike in crop MSP as well as a loan waiver.

"After this, the people were left bewildered at what this boxer was doing because he had no idea what he had to fight against," said the Congress chief said.