The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday criticized Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi for allegedly traveling to Vietnam to celebrate the New Year shortly after the death of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The BJP accused Gandhi of disrespecting the late Congress leader, claiming the move showcased his disregard for the nation’s mourning period.
The BJP’s remarks followed the Congress’s allegations that the Central government disrespected Manmohan Singh by not cremating him at a location designated for his memorial.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla stated, “While the country is mourning Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s demise, Rahul Gandhi has flown abroad to bring in the New Year even as the nation observes seven days of mourning. Congress doesn’t care for Dr Manmohan Singh. They abused and insulted him during his lifetime. They continue to do so now. Yesterday nobody went to collect his ashes. Congress even denied the Bharat Ratna to Dr Manmohan Singh. This is their true face.”
The Congress responded, clarifying that party leaders did not accompany the family during the ashes immersion to respect the privacy of the bereaved relatives.
Poonawalla further criticized Rahul Gandhi, calling him a “leader of paryatan” (tourism). He remarked, “Rahul Gandhi has changed the meaning of LoP from Leader of Opposition to Leader of ‘paryatan’ and Leader of the party. At a time when the country is in grief over the demise of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Rahul Gandhi has left for ‘paryatan’ and party, as per media reports…Rahul Gandhi and ‘paryatan’ is nothing new. At a time when the 26/11 attack happened in Mumbai, he was partying all night. He is not concerned about the demise of Dr Manmohan Singh.”
Adding to the criticism, BJP leader Amit Malviya accused Rahul Gandhi of prioritizing personal celebrations over national mourning. He wrote on X, “While the country is mourning Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s demise, Rahul Gandhi has flown to Vietnam to ring in the New Year. Rahul Gandhi politicised and exploited Dr Singh’s death for his expedient politics but his contempt for him is unmissable. The Gandhis and the Congress hate the Sikhs. Never forget that Indira Gandhi desecrated the Darbar Sahib.”
The controversy has sparked heated debate, with the BJP condemning Gandhi’s alleged actions as insensitive and opportunistic.
Congress launches a counterattack
Congress MP Manickam Tagore launched a sharp counterattack against the BJP’s criticism.
“When will the Sanghis stop this ‘Take Diversion’ politics? The way Modi denied Dr. Saheb a place for cremation on the Yamuna banks and how his ministers cornered Dr. Saheb’s family is shameful. If Mr Gandhi travels privately, why does it bother you? Get well in the New Year,” Tagore posted on X.
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away last week at the age of 92, was cremated at Delhi’s Nigambodh Ghat.
