Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday targeted the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government’s handling of foreign policy, claiming that it was all about hugging leaders, and went on to hug Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit to demonstrate it.
However, a row erupted after Dikshit asked Gandhi if he hugged him “thinking he was Meloni (Italian PM Georgia Meloni)”, to which Gandhi replied “I have not reached there yet”.
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The exchange triggered sharp reactions from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, who slammed “objectionable and indecent language” used.
Addressing the Rachnatmak Congress National Convention, Gandhi said it has somehow been ingrained in Modi’s mind that foreign policy is about hugging leaders. Gandhi then hugged Rachnatmak Congress chief Sandeep Dikshit to show what foreign policy was about for the current government. “Imagine the ignorance... where did he get the idea that foreign policy was about hugging leaders,” he said. Dikshit then asked Gandhi, “Meloni samajh ke toh nahi pakda tha?”
Gandhi further referred to the BJP-Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh as a “bunch of jokers” who have no understanding of India.
BJP hits back
The BJP hit back, with BJP MP and spokesperson Sambit Patra saying: “The level of Rahul Gandhi’s language and political conduct is deteriorating day by day. The kind of objectionable and indecent language used against constitutional and esteemed figures such as the country’s Prime Minister and Italy’s Head of State is shameful for any civilized democratic and political culture.”
Union education minister Pralhad Joshi accused Gandhi of insulting the people of India by attacking the Prime Minister. “Rahul Gandhi, when will you grow up? Running India requires mature leadership, not amateur dramatics. Calling a democratically elected government ‘jokers and clowns’ proves you are out of your depth,” he posted on X.
‘Govt trying to hide China’s encroachment’
The LoP also alleged that China has stopped Indian troops from patrolling in certain areas along the Line of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradesh and that the government was making efforts to “hide it”. There was no immediate reaction from the government on Gandhi’s allegations. There has been no official word on any such development in Arunachal Pradesh.
With inputs from PTI