It's a slap to secularism, Congress slams Modi Cabinet reshuffle

Congress on Sunday took potshots at Narendra Modi’s ministry expansion saying the inclusion of Bharatiya Janata Party leader Giriraj Singh was a “crisp slap” by the prime minister to secularism.

The party said that the expansion was “far more” of caste, geography and less on merit. Singh’s inclusion in the government is a “crisp slap by Modi to secularism and inclusion,” Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said.

Priyanka Chaturvedi, a Congress leader and panelist tweeted, “Am certain the way things are going Giriraj Singh will take charge as MoS MEA, to facilitate all Modi haters to move to Pakistan. Strategic.”

Singh had earlier this year made a controversial statement that those opposing Modi should go to Pakistan for which he was also pulled up by the party leadership.

Congress General Secretary and in-charge of party’s communication department, Ajay Maken tweeted, “Took six months for full time defence/security, power, rural development, surface transport, environment #Modikemantri or wait who knows even now?”

Referring to the Supreme Court’s order that the PM and CMs should desist from appointing tainted people as ministers, Maken tweeted, “27 Aug SC decision-expected 13 tainted min removal but new tainted min added -- affidavit shows 23 cases. Modi ji what about #SwachhPolitics?”

Congress leader Digvijay Singh tweeted, “Why so much excitement about Cabinet expansion? Modi doesn’t require a Cabinet. His is a one man Cabinet. Ask Rajnathji or Gadkari ji.”

Singhvi also said, “The Sunday shuffle, if numerically analysed, has far more of caste and geography and far less of merit. To be fair, Cong also sometimes did same.” 

Image: Modi with the 21 ministers who took the oath of office on Sunday.