Varanasi: In comments that are likely to trigger a massive controversy, Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam has called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a modern-day incarnation of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb.
While campaigning for the Congress in Varanasi, Nirupam claimed that Modi is the modern-day version of Aurangzeb as it was on his instruction that “scores of temples were destroyed for the sake of a corridor in the city”.
He was referring to the demolition of several small buildings and structures to make way for the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi. Many temples were also allegedly destroyed in this massive clearance.
The former Mumbai Congress chief told reporters, “After coming to Varanasi, I saw that hundreds of temples have been destroyed in the city. There is also a newly imposed fee of Rs 550 for a darshan of Lord Vishwanath. I feel that PM Modi is a morden-day Aurangzeb. He has succeeded in destroying those temples which the people of Banaras defended during the peak of Aurangzeb’s cruel regime”.
This is not the first time that Aurangzeb has been dragged into the political dogfight. In fact, his name seems to crop up during every election campaign. Last year, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala had likened PM Modi to the Mughal ruler, while a Rajasthan BJP leader compared Congress chief Rahul Gandhi to the 17th century emperor.
Polling in the Varanasi constituency will be held on May 19 during the last phase of the election. Prime Minister Modi is seeking a re-election from the seat, where he secured 5.8 lakh votes in 2014.
