Fake News! RaGa Did Make the ‘Potato’ Remark, But Was Quoting Modi

A clip of Rahul Gandhi saying a machine will be installed that “if fed potato, will give gold in return” went viral.

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

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The Rajasthan elections are right around the corner, and an old clip of Congress President Rahul Gandhi promising to convert potatoes into gold is going viral again. Gandhi had made the statement last year at a rally in Gujarat, during his poll campaign in the state.

A video of the Congress scion saying that he will install a machine that "if fed potato, will give gold in return" is again going viral, making him the subject of many jokes.

In the 20-second clip, Rahul is seen saying:

Aisi machine lagaunga, iss side se aaloo ghusega, uss side se sona niklega.

Last year, people on Twitter had taken an indirect dig at Rahul by suggesting that no matter how the product is “repackaged, one cannot help if it is damaged.”

BJP’s IT in-charge Amit Malviya had also taken to Twitter to say that people are asking him if Rahul actually said this.

But Did Gandhi Really Mean What He Said?

Yes, Rahul did say that he will install a machine that "if fed potato, will give gold in return". However, he said he was quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promise.

The viral portion is only a 20-seconder from a 26-minute speech.

Rahul was referring to the assurances made to Gujarat, and the farmers in the state, in particular.

In the full version, Rahul is also seen saying that these words were that of PM Modi, and that he promised farmers that "Aisi machine lagaunga, iss side se aaloo ghusega, uss side se sona niklega."

Rahul alleged that Modi had earlier promised Rs 40,000 crore to the Adivasi community in Gujarat but didn't give even a single penny, and also claimed that the prime minister did not give a rupee as flood relief.

(This story was first published on 16 November 2017, and has been updated on 29 November 2018 in light of the upcoming Rajasthan elections)

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