OBC leader and Congress candidate Alpesh Thakore's mushroom remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi has created ripples on Twitter, ripples of laughter.
Thakore's claim that PM Modi has become fairer than he used to be by eating Taiwanese mushrooms has left social media users in splits.
Trending under the hashtag #Mushroomeffect, the remark attracted tonnes of comments, ranging from ridicule to despise.
While some some Twitter users poked fun with memes of famous before and after images of celebrities and fairness creams, others termed Thakore's statement a sign of shallow politics.
Congress President-elect, who was credited for bringing Thakore in Congress fold, was also mocked through association.
"Like leader - like follower. Made for each other. This is the enlightened company that Rahul the Cong PM aspirant keeps. To seriously hope such distinguished company will raise Cong stock & fulfill his wish - is an abuse of our common sense. #MushroomEffect," a tweet read.
At an election rally, Thakore said: "Though the Prime Minister claims to be a common man, he is not so. He might claim his love for Gujarat but he dislikes Gujarati food. So he eats imported mushrooms from Taiwan priced at around Rs 80,000 a piece. He has five everyday."
The comment sent the social media troll machine into overdrive. The hashtag #MushroomEffect trended throughout the day.
Thakore formed a front from the OBC community, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities and called it the OSS Ekta Manch. Thereafter he joined hands with the Congress.
