Who ever thought Coca-Cola and Shikanji can be used in the same sentence? Well, that wasn't difficult with Congress President Rahul Gandhi making speeches in the country. Gandhi thinks Coca-Cola inventor John Stith Pemberton sold Shikanji (lemonade) at the roadside before coming up with the popular beverage. Also, fast food chain McDonald's founder Roy Kroc was a dhaba owner. And that was not just the references he came up with while slamming Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ignoring farmers and lack of opportunities to backward classes, but some more non-existent comparisons.

History of Coca-Cola

Well, Rahul Gandhi, those are not facts. Simply going through Coca-Cola's Wikipedia will explain that the drink was invented by a pharmacist named John Pemberton in 1886 with no experience in making Shikanji. Initially, he tried making different drugs but could not make money out of it. Pemberton then decided to change his business and ventured into the beverage market as soda drinks were in trend. It was initially sold for five cents and its popularity grew far and wide.

Coca-Cola became best selling non-alcoholic drink in just two years of creating it. In 1888 prior to his death, Pemberton sold portions to his business to different entities and the majority of the rights was bought by Atlanta businessman, Asa Griggs Candler. The beverage evolved through the years with various changes to the contents of the beverage and the bottle in which it is today sold.

Here's what Rahul Gandhi thinks is Coco-Cola's History:

"Everyone must have heard about the Coca-Cola company. Who started this company. Who was he, does anyone know? I will tell you who he was. The person who started the Coca-Cola company was one who sold shikanji. He used to sell shikanji in America. He used to mix sugar in water. His experience and talent was honoured and he got money and started the Coca-Cola company."

History of McDonald

McDonald was started by Ray Kroc who has no history of running a dhaba. In fact, the man previously worked as a piano player, a paper cup salesman and a Multimixer salesman. Kroc was impressed by the successful restaurant which was initially a hamburger stand, run by brothers Dick and Mac McDonald and founded McDonald's System, Inc., a predecessor of the McDonald’s Corporation. He bought the exclusive rights to the McDonald's name and operating system six years later.

Here's what Rahul Gandhi thinks is McDonald's History:

"You must have heard about McDonald's company, which is seen everywhere. Who started it and what did he do? He used to run a 'dhaba' (roadside restaurant). You show me that 'dhaba-walla' in India who has created a company like Coca-Cola. Where is it?"

He also went on to say, "It was a mechanic. Ford and Honda were mechanics. You show me an automobile company in India that was started by a mechanic. Where is it? It is not that our people, our 'dhaba-wallahs' do not have sense and strength. It is not that India's mechanics did not have the potential as that of Ford or Mercedes.

He added saying, "It is that if the doors of bank are open for Ford, Mercedes, then the doors of banks and politics are shut for our 'dhabawalas', mechanics and 'dhobis' and other backwards." Gandhi was addressing a convention of OBC workers of the Congress when he attacked the Modi government for ignoring skills and talent and not providing the opportunities to backward classes.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 12, 2018 09:49 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).