Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday took a swipe at Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over the controversy surrounding the mimicry of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a Congress event in Indore, saying the Congress leader should quit politics and become a stand-up comedian.
Fadnavis made the remarks while responding to questions about Saturday’s “Chhatron Ki Goonj” programme, where Gandhi shared the stage with comedian Pulkit Mani during an act mimicking Modi. The episode has triggered a fresh political row, with BJP leaders accusing Gandhi and the Congress of insulting the Prime Minister, while Congress leaders have defended the performance as political satire.
‘Become stand-up comedian’
Taking aim at Gandhi, Fadnavis said his mimicry suggested that comedy could provide him with an alternative profession. “The way Rahul Gandhi is doing mimicry, I feel he should quit the party and become a stand-up comedian,” Fadnavis said. The Maharashtra Chief Minister went on to say that Gandhi could find “very good employment” as a stand-up comedian, while alleging that he had already rendered his political party “unemployed”.
The BJP’s criticism followed videos from the Indore event that circulated widely on social media. Pulkit Mani mimicked Modi’s speaking style, interactions with foreign leaders and diplomatic gestures, with Gandhi joining parts of the performance and laughing along.
BJP leaders have objected particularly to portions of the act involving the Prime Minister’s interaction with an elderly woman. The party alleged that the performance crossed the boundaries of political humour and was disrespectful.
Congress defends event
Congress leaders have rejected the BJP’s criticism and argued that the episode was a mimicry performance rather than an insult.
Congress leader Raashid Alvi said he found nothing objectionable in the video and argued that mimicry had to be understood as a form of performance. He also pointed out that members of the audience, including women, were laughing during the act.
The exchange has added another flashpoint to the continuing confrontation between the BJP and Congress over political rhetoric and personal attacks.
Fadnavis backs UPI MDR
Fadnavis also weighed in on the separate controversy over the Centre’s new Merchant Discount Rate framework for some UPI payments, defending the introduction of a limited charge for merchants.
The new framework imposes a 0.4 per cent MDR on direct UPI merchant payments above Rs 2,000 from October 15. Consumers will not be charged for making such payments, while person-to-person transactions will continue to remain free.
Fadnavis said UPI and digital payments had played an important role in boosting trade and reducing corruption by increasing transparency in transactions.
He argued that imposing a nominal amount to meet the costs of maintaining the payments ecosystem was reasonable and urged petrol pump operators and traders not to oppose the charge.
Petrol pumps raise concerns
The remarks come amid concern among petrol pump operators over the MDR. Reports have indicated that fuel retailers in Mumbai could stop accepting UPI payments above Rs 2,000 from October 15 if the charge is not withdrawn.
The Centre has maintained that the MDR is a charge within the merchant payments ecosystem rather than a fee imposed on individual UPI users. It has also said the overwhelming majority of UPI transactions will remain free for merchants.
The Congress has attacked the measure as a “UPI tax” and demanded its withdrawal. Gandhi has also alleged that the change was made under pressure from the United States, a claim rejected by the government, which says the framework is intended to make the rapidly expanding UPI ecosystem financially sustainable.
The twin issues gave Fadnavis an opportunity on Sunday to target Gandhi over the Indore controversy while simultaneously defending a digital payments policy that has become the latest economic battleground between the government and the Opposition.