The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded an apology from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his recent comment linking Prime Minister Narendra Modi to India’s loss in the ICC World Cup final. During a public rally in Balotra, Rajasthan, Rahul Gandhi suggested that PM stands for ‘Panauti Modi’ (Bad luck Modi).

Senior BJP leaders, including Union ministers Nirmala Sitaraman, Rajeev Chandrashekar and former minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, condemned Gandhi’s statement as “shameful, condemnable, and disgraceful.”

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“Panauti… panauti… Achha bhalaa hamare ladke wahaan World Cup jeetne waale the, par panauti harwaa diya. TV waale ye nahin kahenge magar janta jaanti hai (Our boys were going to win the World Cup, but panauti got them defeated. TV channels will not say this but the public knows),” Rahul Gandhi said at a rally in Balotra, Rajasthan.

Demanding an apology from Gandhi for his comments, Ravi Shankar Prasad said, “What happened to you, Rahul Gandhi? You are using such words for the Prime Minister of the country. Our Prime Minister met the players and motivated them. Winning or losing is part of the game. Rahul Gandhi needs to apologise.”

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Prasad urged Rahul Gandhi to reflect on past instances, citing an example involving Sonia Gandhi, and added, “You need to learn from the past. Your mother (Sonia Gandhi) used the word ‘Maut ka saudagar’ (dealer of deaths) for Narendra Modi, and see where the Congress is now.”

“Rahul Gandhi must apologise…else we will make this issue very serious,” the BJP leader said, adding that the Congress leader has shown “his true colours as to what is your status and understanding”.

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Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also criticised Rahul Gandhi, stating, “It is such a poor comment, games are played. Matches are won and lost. He is continuing the Congress tradition. Is he not? He is actually continuing his party’s tradition of calling abuse names for the prime minister. Is that how sports are to be encouraged? This is another classic example.”

Rajeev Chandrasekhar also condemned Rahul Gandhi’s remark, saying that it demonstrates signs of “desperation” and “mental instability.”

“Panauti” has gained traction on social media following India’s defeat against Australia in the World Cup Final, attended by PM Modi at the stadium named after him in Ahmedabad.