OPCC chief condemns attack on Rahul in Gujarat

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Prasad Harichandan on Friday strongly condemned the attack on Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi’s convoy at flood- hit Banaskantha in Gujarat.
According to reports, a man threw stones at Rahul’s car, breaking its rear glass when he was on his way from Lal Chowk to the helipad at Dhanera. The Congress leader escaped unhurt.
Terming the attack as cowardly, Harichandan said BJP goons perpetrated violence ahead of Gujarat’s assembly elections in 2018 as the saffron party was afraid of Congress’ growing popularity. “It is most disgusting and disturbing. The ruling BJP follows the politics of intolerance and this was a deliberate attempt on it’s part to create an atmosphere of fear in Gujarat before the assembly polls,” he said in a press release.
The 47-year-old Congress leader had reportedly been asked to travel in his bulletproof vehicle but he chose to sit in the first car of his convoy.
“The attack has exposed the ugly side of the saffron party, which is adept at misusing power to silence the opposition. But the voice of Congress will not be stilled and no threat will thwart the zeal of Shri Rahul Gandhi to serve people,” he said.
Earlier, Rahul was heckled by protesters at an event.
“Narendra Modi ji, slogans, black flags and stones will not deter us…We will put in all our might into the service of people,” he tweeted, targeting the Prime Minister in his home state.