'Why don't they buy phones from BHEL?' BJP mocks Rahul Gandhi for another 'faux pas'
Congress president Rahul Gandhi once again finds himself in the eye of the social media storm. This time for allegedly mixing up two major public-sector undertakings BHEL and BEL (or BSNL).
According to reports, Rahul Gandhi on Friday alleged that the smartphones distributed by the Chhattisgarh government under 'Sanchar Kranti Yojna' were part of a scam.
In a video tweeted by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Sambit Patra, Gandhi is heard saying that there was a scam in Chhattisgarh government's cellphone distribution scheme as they were not being bought from BHEL, a PSU.
"These mobiles, why were they not bought from the BHEL. Explain it to us, why did they not buy it from BHEL. You should understand, there is a Rafale scam and here it is a cellphone scam," Rahul purportedly said.
Mocking the Congress leader, Patra tweeted, "This is the understanding of a Politician who wants to be our PM ?? An extremely “Electrifying” speech ..feeling “Heavy” after hearing it ..indeed “Bharat” has “Limited” edition of such Matured Politicians!!"
Several other Twitter users jumped in to troll Congress president.
BHEL, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, is an integrated power plant equipment manufacturer, while BEL (Bharat Electronics Limited) is a state-owned aerospace and defence company. On the other hand, BSNL or Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited is a government telecommunications company.
Chhattisgarh government, headed by Chief Minister Raman Singh, has launched 'Sanchar Kranti Yojna' under which free smartphones will be distributed to 50 lakh people in the state. The scheme was launched by President Ram Nath Kovind on July 26 in Raipur.
Rahul Gandhi was in Chhattisgarh on Friday to inaugurate a new office of the state unit of the party. The new office is expected to function as the main opposition party's base for the assembly elections slated to be held by the year-end. The part of speech tweeted by Patra could not be independently verified.
