Boss was clapping: PM Modi's swipe at Priyanka in Bhaiye row

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday tore into Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi over his controversial "UP, Bihar ke bhaiye" comment and also targeted Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, saying the "family from Delhi was clapping". "What the Congress Chief Minister said here the entire country has seen. The family from Delhi is his maalik (boss), that maalik was standing next to him, clapping," PM Modi said at a rally at Fajilka in Punjab. "Where was Guru Govind Singh born? In Patna Sahib, in Bihar. Will you throw Guru Govind Singh out of Punjab? People of such divisive mentality should not be allowed to rule Punjab even for one moment," said the Prime Minister. PM Modi also referenced Guru Ravidas, a Dalit icon whose birth anniversary saw various political leaders pausing their campaign to visit temples.  Where was he born? In Uttar Pradesh, in Varanasi. Will you remove Sant Ravidas from Punjab?" asked the PM.

Channi made the comment during a roadshow on Wednesday, while he was campaigning with Priyanka Gandhi. Channi on Thursday said his statement was twisted and misrepresented. "I only meant people like Durgesh Pathak, Sanjay Singh and Arvind Kejriwal (Aam Aadmi Party leaders) who come from outside and cause disruptions,"  Channi said in a video statement in response to spiralling criticism. Priyanka Gandhi said: "All that CM Charanjit Channi said was that Punjab should be run by Punjabis. His statement was misconstrued. I don't think anyone from UP is interested in coming to Punjab and ruling."