Uttarakhand CM Dhami hits out at Rahul Gandhi over Modi, Doval remarks

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, saying the people of the state would respond to Gandhi and the Congress through democratic means.

Speaking to reporters in Badrinath in Chamoli district, Dhami alleged that Gandhi was questioning the valour of the armed forces and ridiculing the country.

Dhami's comments came after Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, raised concerns about student hostel facilities and asked why students were being forced to stay in unsafe paying guest accommodations. Gandhi also sought an update on the investigation into the Satya Niketan building collapse in Delhi.

During his remarks, Gandhi alleged that Prime Minister Modi, NSA Doval, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and industrialists Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani exercised influence over different areas of India's political, institutional and economic life.

Dhami alleged that Gandhi had mocked Modi at one of his events by referring to an elderly woman and had used derogatory language against Doval. He said Doval was a source of pride for Uttarakhand and had dedicated his life to the country.

According to Dhami, the remarks had hurt the sentiments of people in Uttarakhand as well as elsewhere in the country.

He further alleged that Gandhi's remarks reflected the Congress leader's attitude towards elderly women, women and the armed forces.

Dhami described Gandhi's language as "undignified and lacking in decorum" and said the people of Uttarakhand would respond to the remarks through democratic means.  (with inputs from PTI)