Even as Congress workers were busy celebrating the birthday of their leader Rahul Gandhi, a junior engineer, Mr Vijesh Saini, penned a “Rahul Chalisa” in praise of Mr Gandhi. Mr Saini presented the chalisa to chief minister Ashok Gehlot. “I am moved by Rahul’s personality as a leader,” says Mr Saini.
Mr Saini’s chalisa presents Mr Gandhi as India’s most beloved leader. But the poet makes an appeal for Mr Gandhi to get married. His poem says: “Chahne wale desh pardesh ke saare, maange aaas se fariyadi Rahul ab to rachalo shaadi (Whether in Rajasthan or in India, everyone who likes you requests you to tie the nuptial knot).”
The BJP criticised it, saying it was the height of sycophancy. “It is nothing but sycophancy,” said former BJP minister Digambar Singh.
But Mr Saini was the same person who penned a “Vasundhara Bateesa” when she ruled the state as chief minister.
The chalisa is traditionally a Hindu hymn invoking 40 lines in praise of God.