BJP flays Rahul Gandhi over Vietnam trip after Manmohan Singh’s death; Congress hits back
PTC Web Desk: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday strongly criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for allegedly travelling to Vietnam to celebrate the New Year shortly after the demise of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. The BJP accused Gandhi of disrespecting the late Congress stalwart and questioned his priorities during a national period of mourning.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, addressing the media, alleged that Rahul Gandhi’s actions exemplified the Congress party’s indifference towards Manmohan Singh, both during his lifetime and after his passing. “While the nation mourns the loss of Dr Manmohan Singh, Rahul Gandhi has flown abroad to usher in the New Year, as per media reports. The Congress party, which insulted Dr Singh during his tenure, continues to disregard his legacy even now. Yesterday, no senior Congress leader came forward to collect his ashes. They didn’t even grant him the Bharat Ratna, a deserving honour,” Poonawalla stated.
Poonawalla further described Rahul Gandhi as the “Leader of Paryatan” (tourism), alleging that the Congress MP prioritises personal leisure over national responsibilities. “Rahul Gandhi has redefined LoP from Leader of Opposition to Leader of Paryatan. This is not the first instance. During the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, he was reportedly seen partying. His detachment from national sentiments is evident,” Poonawalla added.
BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya also weighed in, accusing Rahul Gandhi of exploiting Dr Singh’s death for political gain while showing disregard for his contributions. “Rahul Gandhi has flown to Vietnam while the country observes seven days of mourning. This highlights the Congress party’s hypocrisy and their contempt for Dr Manmohan Singh. Let us not forget how the Congress historically mistreated the Sikh community, including the desecration of the Darbar Sahib during Indira Gandhi’s regime,” Malviya remarked on X (formerly Twitter).
The BJP’s remarks came in response to Congress’s earlier criticism of the Central government. The Congress had accused the Modi government of denying Dr Singh a cremation spot reserved for his memorial on the Yamuna riverbank.
Congress hits Back
Congress MP Manickam Tagore dismissed the BJP’s allegations, describing them as a diversionary tactic. Tagore defended Rahul Gandhi’s trip, stating that it was a private matter and irrelevant to Dr Singh’s funeral proceedings. “When will the Sanghis stop their ‘Take Diversion’ politics? The Modi government denied Dr Saheb a place for cremation on the Yamuna banks. His ministers mistreated the grieving family. If Mr Gandhi chooses to travel privately, why does it bother them? Let them get well soon in the New Year,” Tagore retorted in a post on X.
The Congress party also clarified its absence during the ashes immersion ceremony, explaining that the family of the late Prime Minister requested privacy to perform the rites.
Manmohan Singh, who passed away last week at the age of 92, was cremated at Delhi’s Nigambodh Ghat. Singh served as India’s Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 and was widely respected for his economic reforms and statesmanship.
- With inputs from agencies
