Kolkata/Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister V S Achutanandan's comments describing Rahul Gandhi as a 'Amul baby' was on Monday dismissed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee as 'uncivilised' while the Congress said he should use a language that suited his age and stature. "I do not react on uncivilised comments. It speaks of the individual taste of the person," Mukerjee said at a meet-the-press programme in Kolkata.
Achutanandan on Sunday hit back at Rahul for taking a jibe at him over his advancing age, saying the Congress leader came to poll-bound Kerala to campaign for 'Amul babies' as he was himself a 'Amul baby'.
Congress's Kerala unit also ticked off the CPM stalwart. In a statement issued in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala PCC President Ramesh Chennithala said, "Achuthanandan has lowered his stock himself by trying to ridicule Rahul Gandhi, who is a source of inspiration for millions in the country".
"People of India know the political legacy, ideals and background of Rahul Gandhi. It is quite unbecoming of a person holding a high position to run down a widely respected leader like Rahul Gandhi by using intemperate language," he said.
Congress leader Anil Shastri, camping in Kerala, said "I expect Achuthanandan to use the language befitting his age of 87 years and his position as Chief Minister of Kerala."
Instead of making intemperate comments, Achuthanandan should reply to charges levelled against the LDF Government by Gandhi, particularly those relating to unemployment. "Achuthanandan should now start preparing to pack his bags for a relaxed retired life after May 13,(counting day)," Shastry said.
87-year-old Achutanandan's dig at Gandhi(40), projected as the youth face of the Congress, came after the Congress leader said at a campaign meeting in Kerala on Saturday that if LDF was re-elected, Kerala would have a 93-year-old as Chief Minister in five years time.
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