New Delhi:

Former cricketer Venkatesh Prasad is embroiled in a political controversy this weekend arising from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s controversial election speech in Rajasthan – in which he mentioned the country’s Muslim community and alleged that the Congress plan would “distribute property among infiltrators”. “Redistribution” if he returns to power after this year’s elections. The former India fast bowler offered a cricket analogy.

“One of the manifestos of political parties is to redistribute the wealth of the rich to the poor. There is a need to uplift the poor but this thought process is very pathetic,” Mr Prasad declared on

“It’s like saying ‘if we take 4 points from Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad, and redistribute it among the bottom 3 teams, they can reach the playoffs.’

One of the manifestos of political parties is to redistribute the wealth of the rich to the poor. There is really a need for the upliftment of the poor but this thought process is very pathetic.
It’s like saying if we take 4 points from RR and 4 points each from KKR and SRH and redistribute it among the bottom 3…

— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) 22 April 2024

PM Modi’s speech in Rajasthan’s Banswara this weekend drew sharp reactions from the opposition and a section of civil society activists. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi attacked the “lies” and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said the prime minister’s only ‘guarantee’ “is to abuse Muslims…” Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav – the leader of the Congress-led Indian opposition Are part of – Also called “lie”.

Read | Prime Minister’s “money to infiltrators” slogan and Manmohan Singh’s 2006 speech

PM Modi had said, “This ‘urban Naxalite’ mentality…they will not leave even your ‘Mangalsutra’.” They can go to that level… It has been said in the manifesto of Congress that they will settle accounts of sleeping with mothers and sisters, get information about this. , and then to whom will they distribute that property – Manmohan Singh’s government had said that the Muslims have the first right on the property.

PM Modi was referring to a statement by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at a meeting of the National Development Council in December 2006 on his government’s fiscal priorities – which he had praised in February and called an “inspirational example”.

Read | Controversy after Prime Minister’s statement, “Congress will distribute property among infiltrators”

According to the then Prime Minister’s Office, Dr Singh had said, “…we have to make innovative plans to ensure that minorities, especially Muslim minorities, have the right to share equally in the fruits of development. Their first claim should be on resources…”

Meanwhile, the setback comes as PM Modi and the ruling BJP have stepped up attacks on Congress-led India, which many see as a challenge to the saffron party’s hopes of a hat-trick of victories in the Lok Sabha elections .

PM Modi has also accused Congress’s election manifesto of having “Muslim League imprint” and a “bundle of lies”. He had said, “The Congress has issued a bundle of lies in its manifesto… Every page reeks of attempts to break India. It reflects the views of the Muslim League before independence.”

Read | “This is the best friend…”: M Kharge on BJP’s “Muslim League imprint”

Former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar Tejashwi Yadav appealed to the Prime Minister with “folded hands”, urging him to discuss “real issues” such as the livelihood crisis.

Since then, and undeterred by criticism and demands for action from the Election Commission of India, the Prime Minister has repeated his attacks. Today in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, he announced, “The Congress and the Indian alliance are now eyeing your income, your property…”

Read | Amidst the controversy, the Prime Minister said, ‘Congress will take your house and jewellery’

Meanwhile, this is not the first time that Venkatesh Prasad has spoken against Congress and appeared in favor of BJP. In December he took a dig at the party over its impending defeat in the Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan state elections.

“The consequences of misusing Sanatan Dharma were inevitable,” he posted on X.

Read | “Abusing Sanatan…”: Former cricketer takes a dig at Congress amid election results

Tamil Nadu minister and DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin created a major political controversy when he said that “Sanatana Dharma should be abolished”. Ally Congress, which largely avoided wading into the controversy, said the party believed in “Sarvadharma Samabhava” (equal respect for all religions).

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