Absurd? Congress' Raj Babbar credits Nehru for Indian PMs from 'weaker sections'

After Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said that 'we have chaiwala as prime minister because Nehru Ji made it possible to create the institutional structures', senior Congress leader Raj Babbar has also echoed similar sentiments. While addressing the media on the occasion of Pandit Nehru's Birth Anniversary on Wednesday, he said:  

"I can only say that people from weakest of the weakest section received strength from Nehru Ji. This country got a prime minister who did not have money to take a boat across the river. Someone who used to cross the Ganga river tying his shirt over his head. That person was Lal Bahadur Shastri. He became the prime minister of this country. Such people became PMs of this country. And he took the country's prestige to new heights. They were embodiments of honesty. Today's people unfortunately run campaigns to call themselves popular. There are allegations of corruption and selfish politics being levelled against them. There are so many statements being made. So much so that often my heads hangs in shame reading posts on social media".

Read: 'Nehru Is The Sole Reason Why Humanity Exists', Retorts BJP Sarcastically As Shashi Tharoor Credits Him For 'Chaiwala' PM

Mr Babbar's remark comes a day after Congress leader Shashi Tharoor made the 'Chaiwala' remark. Shashi Tharoor, who was releasing his book at Delhi’s Nehru Memorial Museum & Library, had said that a 'chaiwala' can reach the heights of holding the post of a Prime Minister because of institutions created by Nehru. He further said that Nehru made it possible for common man to reach the dizzying heights of top office of India.

"If today, we have chaiwala as prime minister, it is because Nehru ji made it possible to create the institutional structures through which any Indian can aspire to and rise to the highest office in the land," said Tharoor. He added that Nehru had great respect for institutions and the vision to lay the foundations for the future of the country.

"Nehru Ji respected institutions Nehru ji attended all session and every day of parliament contrary to the what current prime minister practices. If today, the government can boast about Mangalyaan, ask who created ISRO. Who decided that even a poor Indian can dare to aim for the skies. Who created the IITs who send so many bright young men to the Silicon Valley. All of this in the poor country was optional. You had to have the vision to say we need to do all these things. We need to lay the foundations to build India of the future," he added.

Earlier in the day, BJP spokesperson Sambait Patra mounted a scathing attack on Congress saying that the 'disdain they show towards the downtrodden is nauseating'. While addressing the media on Wednesday, Mr Patra said:

"He is a repeat offender and his statement shows that the office of Prime Minister is only reserved for the Gandhi family which is akin to their notion that has been there since years that India is Indira and Indira is India. The disdain they show towards the downtrodden is nauseating. The people of this country and democracy is not going to accept it".

Read: 'Disdain They Show Towards The Downtrodden Is Nauseating', Sambit Patra Hits Out At Congress Over Tharoor's 'chaiwala' Comment