New Delhi: BJP on Wednesday targeted Congress over its allegation that the government has decided to send all-party delegations to various countries to divert public attention from 'tough questions'. BJP said that nationalism has completely ended in the main opposition party. The ruling BJP also targeted other components of the opposition alliance 'India' over the recent comments of some opposition leaders on the Indo-Pak conflict and accused them of 'behaving like Pakistan's Popular Front' at a time when they should have shown unity keeping India's interests in mind.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has suddenly thought of sending a "multi-party" delegation to visit various countries to divert attention from the tough questions he is being asked to answer even as Modi's image has been "tarnished" globally. BJP national spokesperson and Rajya Sabha member Sudhanshu Trivedi reacted sharply and accused the Congress leader of "undermining" the government's effort to convey India's strong stand against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.
When asked about Ramesh's allegations, Trivedi said at a press conference at the BJP headquarters here, "Congress is forced to make such a statement out of frustration as it is unable to seek proof (of Indian military action). Nationalism has completely disappeared from the eyes of the Congress." The BJP leader alleged, "The statements of Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Jairam Ramesh seem to be trying to outdo each other in the race to gain popularity in Pakistan." He said Jairam's remarks were an insult to all MPs.
'Whenever he goes abroad, the country...'
Without naming Rahul Gandhi, Trivedi said, "Your leaders keep going abroad either to attract (foreign powers') attention towards India or to divide India. Whenever he goes abroad, he makes statements that divide the country. This is the first time that leaders of all parties (who are part of the delegation) are showing unity." He said, "Pakistan and Congress have the same mentality on some issues. Despite losing the war, Pakistan's army chief was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal. Even in Congress, people become 'Field Marshals' after losing elections."
Trivedi lashes out at 'India' alliance
Trivedi said all the statements of the 'Indi' alliance are being quoted in Pakistani media, Pakistan's National Assembly, Pakistan Army briefings and even in the dossiers being prepared by Pakistan against India. He said, "...'India' alliance has started behaving like Pakistan's Popular Front. Just by having the name 'India Alliance' you do not become an Indian at heart." Now that the all-party delegation is going abroad to convey India's strong stand against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, Trivedi urged the Congress and other opposition leaders to rise above party politics and refrain from making such statements.
'Should show solidarity'
He said, "They should show India's solidarity, control their emotions at least for some time and keep vote bank politics separate from national interest." Trivedi said that the BJP's policy is clear that on such occasions, "we have to rise above party lines and show India's unity on the international platform, whether we are in the opposition or in the government." He said, "When we were in the opposition in 1995, Pakistan was bringing a resolution on Kashmir in Geneva. Our then opposition leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee had supported the then Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao in Geneva and also gave credit to his government for this.
