'Did Pandavas kiss their sister?': UP minister as Rahul calls RSS 'Kauravas'

Dinesh Pratap Singh, minister of state (Independent Charge), said Indian culture "doesn't give permission for such thing”.

A day after Rahul Gandhi called the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) the "21st century Kauravas", a minister in the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government questioned the display of affection by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his younger sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, asking “which Pandava kisses his sister at the age of 50 in a public gathering.” Dinesh Pratap Singh, minister of state (Independent Charge), said a Sangh pracharak “takes oath to remain unmarried…and dedicates himself to the nation-building without any greed.”

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during a ceremony to hand over the national flag to Uttar Pradesh (UP) Congress President Brijlal Khabri to start the UP leg of party's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra', in Ghaziabad, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023.(PTI)

“If Rahul Gandhi is calling RSS Kauravas, does that mean he's Pandava? If he sees himself as Pandava, did Pandava kiss his sister in a public gathering like Rahul Gandhi kissed Priyanka Gandhi at the age of 50,” Singh told news agency ANI.

“It's not our culture, Indian culture doesn't give permission for such things,” he added.

The minister's remarks came days after Rahul and Priyanka were seen bonding over the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Uttar Pradesh. The video and images of the duo from the event were widely shared on social media, with many praising the bond and love that the siblings share.

Singh, who fought and lost the 2019 Lok Sabha election from UP's Raebareli, said Sonia Gandhi will not win the 2024 election and “will be the last foreigner to exit from Raebareli.” BJP has for many years been raking up the issue of Sonia Gandhi's Italian origin.

“When it comes to visiting Raebareli, she (Sonia Gandhi) always says she isn't well but she is seen walking with her son Rahul Gandhi in his Bharat Jodo Yatra to promote him. In 2024, she will not be MP and will be the last foreigner to exit from Raebareli,” Singh said.

“Can Sonia Gandhi say she isn't a foreigner? Can anyone from Cong say Sonia Gandhi isn't a foreigner? She was denied PM's post as she's a foreigner. We have struggled a lot to drive out the British and get independence. Indians will not accept any foreigner as a ruler,” ANI quoted the minis