Amid an ongoing face-off between the Congress and the BJP over Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification from Lok Sabha, Germany has ‘taken note’ of the issue, triggering a fresh political slugfest here on Thursday with the ruling party accusing the opposition party of “inviting foreign powers” to interfere in internal matters.
The BJP attack came after senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh thanked the German foreign ministry and Richard Walker, Chief International Editor of Deutsche Welle, for “taking note of how Democracy is being compromised in India through the persecution of Rahul Gandhi”.
The Congress alleged that the BJP was attempting to divert attention from the Adani issue.
Singh tagged a tweet by Walker in which the senior journalist had posted a video of a German foreign ministry spokesperson reacting to Gandhi’s disqualification.
At a press briefing, Germany’s foreign ministry spokesperson said, “we have taken note of the verdict of first instance against Indian opposition politician Rahul Gandhi as well as the suspension of his parliamentary mandate.” “To our knowledge, Mr Gandhi is in a position to appeal the verdict. It will then become clear whether this verdict will stand and whether the suspension of his mandate has any basis,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying.
Germany expects that “standards of judicial independence and fundamental democratic principles” will equally apply to the proceedings against Rahul Gandhi, the spokesperson added.
A host of BJP leaders attacked the Congress and Singh, accusing the party of “inviting foreign interference” in internal affairs.
Sharing a screenshot of Digivijaya Singh’s tweet, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said, “Thank you Rahul Gandhi for inviting foreign powers for interference into India’s internal matters.” “Remember, Indian Judiciary can’t be influenced by foreign interference. India won’t tolerate ‘foreign influence’ anymore because our Prime Minister is:- Shri @narendramodi Ji,” Rijiju said.
Hitting back at Rijiju, Congress’ media department head Pawan Khera said, “Mr. Rijiju, why divert from the main issue? The issue is that the Prime Minister cannot answer Rahul Gandhi’s questions about Adani.” Instead of “misleading” people, please answer the questions, Khera said.
Attacking the Congress over Singh’s tweet, Information and Broadcasting minister Anurag Thakur said,”disgrace to nation, @INCIndia & @RahulGandhi don’t believe to fight India’s democratic, political and legal battle within country, hence, invite foreign powers to interfere in our internal matter. But New India headed by @narendramodi Ji will not tolerate any foreign intervention.”Finance Minister Niramala Sitharaman also slammed the Congress over Singh’s tweet.
“Apparent that @INCIndia wants foreign interference in our affairs. Sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Communist Party of China with opaque contents. During interactions abroad, plead for help to change government. Thank them when help forthcoming. Any more proof needed?” she said.
Commerce minister Piyush Goyal retweeted Sitharaman’s tweet.
Tagging Singh’s tweet, BJP’s foreign affairs department head leader Vijay Chauthaiwale said on Twitter,”look how happy @digvijaya_28 ji with comments from Germany. It only shows how they are desperate to involve external agencies in domestic matters.” BJP’s IT department head Amit Malviya also tagged Singh’s tweet and said, “Shameful that Congress continues to lean on foreign agencies and seek their intervention in India’s internal affairs.” “Rahul Gandhi had recently sought Europe and US intervention and now it is Digvijay Singh. But Law is the Law… Unless somebody thinks Law is not the Law for them,” he said.