BJP on Wednesday slammed Rahul Gandhi over his meeting with US lawmaker Ilhan Omar and others during his visit to that country, alleging the Congress leader is indulging in “dangerous and mischievous” activities by reaching out to people abroad who are known for their anti-India stand.
Addressing a Press conference at the BJP headquarters, party national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said that Rahul Gandhi earlier used to indulge in “childish activities” but “now he is indulging in dangerous and mischievous activities”.
The Opposition party dismissed the criticism over Rahul Gandhi meeting Democrat Ilhan Omar, known for her controversial positions regarding India, and said the BJP is in government and summon the US ambassador and take action if they believe so.
“It is for the first time in the history of India that a Leader of Opposition has met a declared anti-India lawmaker and expressed his sweet feelings. He has met US lawmaker Ilhan Omar, who is infamous for her anti-India stand and statements,” he added.
Referring to Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on the Sikh community, Trivedi alleged that he has drawn support from Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. With this, Rahul has further added a new friend in his list of anti-India friends, the BJP leader charged.
“There is a saying: King James I was the wisest fool in Christendom. In my opinion, the same thing applies to Rahul Gandhi for ‘Congressdom’,” he added.
Trivedi also showed a picture of Rahul Gandhi with journalist Mushfiqul Fazal as he hit out at the Congress leader accusing him of meeting people who are known for their anti-India stand.
“He is that journalist who had asked a question regarding Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest in a White House press conference and he is taking a selfie with Rahul,” the BJP leader said.
Trivedi slammed Gandhi for “spewing venom” against India during his US visit and termed his meeting with the US lawmaker Omar and others as “very serious” . “Omar is one of the US lawmakers whom the Pakistan government had taken on a visit to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). She has made several statements that directly or indirectly show her sympathy for the Muslim Brotherhood and ISI (Pakistan’s intelligence agency),” he added.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also slammed Gandhi over his meetings and remarks in the US. In a social media post BJP MP Nishikant Dubey said the woman in the red circle is Ilhan Omar, the leader of the Democratic Party in America. She has consistently supported the creation of a separate country of Khalistan and Kashmir.
Responding to Shah’s remarks, Congress’ spokesperson Pawan Khera said, “Ask him to take action, then we will expose the prime minister and the home minister both. The PM goes abroad and makes horrible comments against India and Indians, that is not anti-national?”
“We are talking about upholding the Constitution of India and that is anti-national? Why is it that BJP has a problem whenever we talk about upholding the Constitution? Why are they against the Constitution so much?” he asked.
Asked about Dubey’s remarks, Khera said, “Had he even head of Ilhan Omar before this? They (BJP) are in power, ask them to write a letter to the state department of the US. Ask them to summon the ambassador of the US. Ask them to take action if they are so excited about Rahul Gandhi meeting several (US) Congress people there. What stops them?” he said.
