Beni Prasad Verma defies EC, calls Narendra Modi an `animal`

There`s no stopping Beni Prasad Verma as he perfects the art of launching acrid personal attacks on political opponents, especially against BJP`s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.

Zee Media Bureau/Ajith Vijay Kumar

New Delhi: There`s no stopping Beni Prasad Verma as he perfects the art of launching acrid personal attacks on political opponents, especially against BJP`s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.

The Congress leader touched a new low while addressing party workers in Gonda in Uttar Pradesh. Beni called Narendra Modi an `animal` and said that he needs to be taught a lesson.

What makes the Union minister different from other motormouths like Azam Khan of the Samajwadi Party or others like Giriraj Singh of the BJP is that while others have made attempts, even if half-hearted, to make amends after the Election Commission expressed its displeasure, Verma doesn`t care two hoots about attracting the election body`s ire. He is already facing a showcause notice issued by the EC – for his earlier alleged controversial remarks against Modi - for prima facie violating the Model Code of Conduct, but Beni responds with the `animal` jibe.

He has been asked to put forth his stand on the charges by Saturday morning failing which the EC will take action without further referring the matter to him. The showcause notice was issued following complaints and reports by poll authorities in Uttar Pradesh. Verma had earlier called Modi the "biggest goon", “a descendant of Hitler”, and even claimed that Modi, as a 20-year-old, had committed a "major crime" and had fled his home.

He had also said that Modi will never reach the PM`s post and go to "graveyard".

Beni had attacked Modi`s close aide Amit Shah as well. He reportedly said that once Rahul Gandhi becomes the Prime Minister, Modi and his close aide Amit Shah will be "jailed for life" for Godhra riots.