BJP Slams Congress’ ‘Nawabi Feudal Shehzada’ Mindset After Viral Video Shows Party Worker Washing Nana Patole’s Feet | WATCH

A video went viral on social media showing a party worker washing the muddy feet of Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole, during the leader's trip to Akola where he attended an event in Wadegaon.

The BJP Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Congress after a viral video showed a party workers washing the feet of Nana Patole, the grand-old party’s Maharashtra unit chief, during his visit to Akola district.

A video went viral on social media showing a man, reportedly a Congress party worker, washing the muddy feet of Nana Patole, during the leader’s trip to Akola where he attended an event in Wadegaon.

काय दुर्दैव आहे, ज्या कार्यकर्त्यांच्या जीवावर निवडणूक लढवतात त्यांचाच अपमान काँग्रेस वारंवार करत आहे..

महाराष्ट्र काँग्रेस अध्यक्ष @NANA_PATOLE यांचे पाय चिखलात खराब झाले म्हणून त्यांनी कार्यकर्त्याला पाय धुवायला लावणे ही खरच लाजीरवाणी बाब आहे…!

हेच काँग्रेसचे संस्कार आहेत… pic.twitter.com/FBrcRhs65r

— BJP Mumbai (@BJP4Mumbai) June 18, 2024

The purported video showed a party worker pouring water on Patole’s feet and cleaning them with his hands while the Congress leader is stepping out of his car.

Reacting to the controversy over the episode, Patole said he muddied feet got muddied after taking part in a procession of the holy symbolic footprints of Saint Gajanan Maharaj.

‘Nawabi feudal’ mindset

The BJP latched on to the controversy and accused Patole of “insulting” his party workers. The saffron party also questioned the Congress’ “culture” in wake of the incident and attacked the opposition party for fostering a “Nawabi feudal Shehzada” mindset.

“What is unfortunate is that the Congress is repeatedly insulting the workers who fight for their lives. It’s a shame that Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole made an activist wash his feet because his feet was muddy,” the BJP’s Mumbai unit in a post on X in Marathi.

“Is this the culture of Congress?,” it asked.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla termed the incident as Congress’ “Nawabi feudal shehzada” mindset and demanded an apology from Patole as well as the grand-old party.

“Congress has a Nawabi Feudal Shehzada mindset. Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole’s gets his leg and feet washed by a party worker in Akola. They treat Janta and workers like Ghulam & themselves like Kings & Queens. Imagine how they treat people without coming to power! What will they do if they by mistake come to power. Nana Patole must apologise & so must Congress,” Poonawalla said on X.

‘There was no tap’

Meanwhile, responding to the row sparked by the incident, Patole said his feet had gotten muddied and there was no tap which prompted the party worker to pour water to wash them.

“I am not hiding yesterday’s incident. The worker was pouring water (on my feet). There was no tap – ‘Har ghar mein nal, har ghar mein jal’, otherwise I would have used water from the tap,” the Maharashtra Congress chief told reporters at a presser.

Patole also lashed out at the ruling BJP-Sena government saying that while the farmers are burdened by loans and need to be brought out of their plight, the ruling dispensation was not at all concerned.

(With inputs from agencies)