SHOCKING: In video, Congress leader unceremoniously stops 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' chant; forces Sonia-Rahul chants instead

An election controversy has been triggered by a viral video of Congress members purposely eschewing chants of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and chanting slogans for their senior party leaders instead.

In the video, which has been recorded in poll-bound Rajasthan's Bikaner, Congress workers can be seen assembled on a stage around former state education minister Dr BD Kalla. The supporter immediately next to him begins to chant "Bharat Mata Ki Jai", but is unceremoniously stopped. 

After a brief intervention, even as laughter breaks out in the crowd, something is explained to the chanter, after which he changes his line, and instead chants "Sonia Gandhi (Zindabad) Rahul Gandhi (Zindabad) Ahmed Patel (Zindabad) Sachin Pilot (Zindabad)..." and other leaders' names.

BJP Delhi spokesperson Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga has alleged that the supporter was stopped from chanting Bharat Mata Ki Jai as it would lead to a loss of Muslim votes in a minority-dominated area. 

Watch the video here -  

Republic TV spoke to Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat who said: 

"It is embarrassing not only for the Congress party but it is a shameful act done by the senior Congress leader and yes it gives a clear picture for the Congress people -- that the priority is always a family and for them the family is above  a nation, above a nationality, above the rastriyata". 

"The people of  Rajasthan are going to give a befitting reply to them''. 

This is not the first time that a controversy has arisen concerning 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'. Back in 2016, AIMIM MLA Waris Pathan was suspended from the Maharashtra assembly after he refused to chant ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai.’