Congress sacks party district president for calling Rahul Gandhi 'Pappu'

Meerut: The Congress has sacked party’s district president Vinay Pradhan, who had tried to applaud Rahul Gandhi but somehow chose the infamous sobriquet, Pappu.

The Meerut district president had appreciated Gandhi by allegedly sending a post in the party’s local WhatsApp group but addressed him with the nickname usually used by the party vice-president’s critics.

The post went viral in no time and he was soon removed from his post.

The decision regarding Pradhan’s removal was taken by disciplinary committee chairperson, Ramkrishna Dwivedi, after consultation with Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee chief Raj Babbar.

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The sacked Congress leader has, however, denied sending the message. He has stated that some people have tried to malign his image by circulating the screenshot that has been photoshopped.

“This is an effort by some people in the party to malign me. I have not sent any such message. The screenshots being circulated have been photoshopped. I respect Rahul Gandhiji and would never use such language for him,” he stated.

Pradhan also alleged that the party did not hear him out before sacking him from all his posts.

What the message that has been circulated, read:

“Rahul Gandhi is also known as Pappu by a section of people in this country. People of this country are witness to the fact that Pappu has never taken to a lavish lifestyle. Pappu never took part in the parties thrown by industrialists like Adani and Ambani because Pappu knew that these people would only exploit the common people’s resources. Pappu could have easily become the Prime Minister of this country but he did not.”

What the senior party leadership stated:

• This is an attempt to malign the party leadership and we are sure that other parties might be involved in it.
• It is also an effort to divert attention from the main issues.
• Vinay Pradhan is guilty of violating the constitution of Congress party.