Congress leader who referred to Rahul as ‘pappu’ in WhatsApp text quits party

While BJP supporters often refer to Gandhi as pappu, or a little boy with limited understanding of political issues, Pradhan claimed he used the word to highlight how his former leader put “the interest of the nation before his own”.

A Congress leader from Uttar Pradesh who was punished for referring to Rahul Gandhi as “pappu” quit the party on Wednesday.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi speaks at the launch of a commemorative edition of the National Herald newspaper in Bengaluru. (PTI photo)

Vinay Pradhan was removed as the party’s Meerut unit chief earlier this month, after his WhatsApp message on the Congress vice-president went viral. “By taking action against me, Rahul Gandhi has proven that he is indeed a ‘pappu’ who can’t understand that what I said was in his praise. Now my political career has been cut short,” he said.

Pradhan’s Whatsapp text had read: “Pappu could have joined hands with Adani, Ambani and Mallya, but he did not do that. Pappu could have been a minister or even the Prime Minister, but he did not go down that road. Instead, he put his life on the line by going to Mandsaur (the epicentre of the recent farmer agitation).”

While BJP supporters often refer to Gandhi as pappu, or a little boy with limited understanding of political issues, Pradhan claimed he used the word to highlight how his former leader put “the interest of the nation before his own”. He also alleged that growing sycophancy was responsible for the Congress turning into an “also-ran” party.

The party action against Pradhan was criticised by the BJP too, with party spokesperson Sambit Patra tweeting: “Expelled from the party for saying pappu and just warning for ‘sadak ka goonda’ remark. What amazing justice by the Congress.”