BJP slams Rahul Gandhi for ‘insulting India’s democracy’ on foreign land, Congress calls it ‘distorting’

He added that Gandhi has forgotten all parliamentary norms, political propriety and “democratic shame” by criticising Indians from abroad.

Prasad termed Gandhi’s comments “utterly shameful,” saying: “It’s utterly shameful that Rahul Gandhi, from a foreign land, has tried to hurt the spirits of India’s consensus on the subject that no foreign country must intervene in India’s internal affairs.”

The Lok Sabha MP also expressed BJP’s disapproval of Gandhi “misusing the forum of British parliament” to spread shameful lies and unfounded claims, and said there needed to be a “proper rebuttal”. He further said that Indians neither listen to Gandhi nor understand him, and that supporting him is a distant thing.

He went on to accuse Gandhi of seeking Europe and US’ “intervention”. “Rahul Gandhi has tried to embarrass the country by saying that Europe and America should interfere in the internal affairs of India,” he said.

Prasad sought reactions from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and his predecessor Sonia Gandhi on the “utterly irresponsible” statements and whether the opposition party disowns them or not.

He also slammed Gandhi for his condemnation of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), claiming that the Hindutva organisation has been serving society and the nation.

He claimed that the Sangh’s ideology and influence had now spread across the country, while Congress has been shrinking and will shrink further in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad is doing what he and his Supremo do best–distort, twist, defame and lie with a straight face. https://t.co/8GuRmohU3Z

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) March 7, 2023

“Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad is doing what he and his Supremo do best– distort, twist, defame and lie with a straight face,” Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said on Twitter.

There is nothing more amusing than watching an unemployed leader of a ruling party trying to seek relevance and re-employment.
Those who have a full time job of twisting statements of opposition leaders forget their own favourite slogan ‘Ab Kii Baar, Trump Sarkaar’. https://t.co/F8sMB9ZBjq

— Pawan Khera 🇮🇳 (@Pawankhera) March 7, 2023

Congress’ media department head Pawan Khera tweeted, “There is nothing more amusing than watching an unemployed leader of a ruling party trying to seek relevance and re-employment.” ”

Those who have a full time job of twisting statements of opposition leaders forget their own favourite slogan ‘Ab Kii Baar, Trump Sarkaar’,” Khera said.

In his recent speech at Cambridge University in London, Gandhi criticised BJP for stifling protests, attacking minorities and adversely affecting India’s democratic principles.

“Indian democracy is under pressure, is under attack. I am an Opposition leader in India and we are navigating that space. What is happening is that the institutional framework which is required for a democracy — Parliament, a free press, the judiciary — just the idea of mobilisation, just the idea of moving around … these are all getting constrained. So, we are facing an attack on the basic structure of Indian democracy,” Rahul Gandhi said during his speech.

(With inputs from PTI)