Meghalaya Assembly Elections 2018: BJP shocked at Shashi Tharoor’s dog remark; demands apology

The BJP on Saturday hit out at Congress MP Shashi Tharoor for comparing the National People’s Party, the local party in Meghalaya, which is allying with the BJP during the upcoming assembly elections, to dogs.

During a press conference, Tharoor had said that the NPP claims to be independent, but in Meghalaya they are allied to the BJP and have attached themselves as the tail that is wagging along whenever the dog barks.

Taking umbrage to the statement, BJP leader Nalin Kohli expressed ‘shock’ at Tharoor’s remark. “We demand an apology from Tharoor and the Congress. His political master (Congress President Rahul Gandhi) may have special affinity for a certain pet dog (Pidi) and may also prefer spending time feeding Pidi than attending to senior political functionaries. It doesn’t mean you’ll reduce political parties to be referred to as dog & insult voters,” Kohli said.

Earlier in the day, the Congress released its poll manifesto, promising to enhance the Rs 5 lakh health insurance cover announced by the Centre, if re-elected to power in the state.

The 20-page manifesto was released a day before the campaign ends. Polls for the state’s 60-member Assembly will be held on February 27 and votes will be …read more