MEERUT: A senior Congress member from Uttar Pradesh has been removed from all party positions for purportedly referring to Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi as " Pappu ", repeatedly, in a social media message meant to laud his recent attempt to visit Mandsaur following the death of five protesting farmers in police firing. "Pappu" is the term Rahul's critics are known to use when denouncing him, especially on social media. But it said: "Pappu could have joined hands with Adani, Ambani and Mallya but he did not do that. Pappu could have been a minister or even the Prime Minister, but he did not go down that road. "Pradhan said the message in question was not sent by him, and he wasn't given an opportunity to explain himself.

Source: Times of India June 13, 2017 20:59 UTC