Shivraj Chouhan fires '9 2 11' jibe as Rahul Gandhi flies off ahead of Cong foundation day

As Indian National Congress (INC) observes its 136th foundation day on Monday, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan took a dig at former party chief Rahul Gandhi for skipping program.  Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi left for abroad on Sunday for a short personal visit, party said. Though Congress did t disclose Gandhi's destination, chief spokesperson of party, Randeep Surjewala, confirmed that he will be away for a few days.

Shivraj takes a dig at Rahul Gandhi

In a tweet in Hindi, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, " Congress is celebrating its 136th Foundation Day here and Rahul has run away." BJP leader used popular Hindi idiom 'Nau Do Gyarah (9 2 11)' in his tweet. On his tweet, a user commented that "Rahul Gandhi has thing to do with party", to which Shivraj replied, "Why t? He must have gone to celebrate party." 

Taking to Twitter, Rahul Gandhi shared a video and wrote, "Congress has been committed from beginning to raise voice of nation. Today, on foundation day of Congress, we reiterate our pledge of truth and equality."

PTI sources said Rahul Gandhi left for Milan in Italy on a Qatar Airways flight on Sunday morning. Rahul Gandhi is travelling amid ongoing farmers' agitation against agricultural laws. He led a delegation which met President Ram Nath Kovind on December 17 and submitted memorandum along with a purported 2 crore signatures of farmers against recently enacted laws.

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Congress MP also did t attend meeting of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) leaders to review party's performance in local body elections. state in-charge Tariq Anwar who is on a tour of Kerala is taking review meeting on issue.

All India Congress Committee (AICC) has asked all its state units to observe party's foundation day on December 28 through various campaigns including organising 'Tiranga Yatras' and running a social media campaign 'Selfie with Tiranga'.  "December 28 marks 136th year of foundation of Indian National Congress (INC). On this day, PCCs are requested to observe party foundation day in state and district headquarters and instruct office-bearers, MPs, MLAs/MLCs to participate in functions," AICC said in a press release.

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(With ncy inputs)