‘Flown To Vietnam’: BJP Vs Congress In New War Of Words Over Rahul Gandhi’s Foreign Trip

Last Updated:December 30, 2024, 14:30 IST

BJP slammed Rahul Gandhi, claiming that the Congress MP had “flown to Vietnam for New Year” celebrations while the nation is mourning Manmohan Singh’s death. 

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi (PTI Image)

BJP launched a blistering attack on Rahul Gandhi, claiming that the Congress MP had “flown to Vietnam for New Year celebrations” while the nation was mourning the former PM Manmohan Singh’s death.

As a mark of respect to former PM Manmohan Singh, who died on December 26, a seven-day national mourning is being observed throughout the country during which the national flag will be flown at half-mast across the nation, the Union Home Ministry announced.

Stoking a political row on Monday, BJP IT Cell Chief Amit Malviya said, “While the country is mourning Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s demise, Rahul Gandhi has flown to Vietnam to ring in the New Year”.

Malviya accused Rahul Gandhi of politicising the former PM’s death, saying “The Gandhis and the Congress hate the Sikhs. Never forget that Indira Gandhi desecrated the Darbar Sahib.”

It comes a day after the BJP slammed the Congress party and the Gandhi family, accusing them of not showing up to collect the remains of Manmohan Singh, which was immersed in the Yamuna river in Delhi on Saturday.

The BJP and Congress also had fiery exchanges over the latter’s demand that Singh be cremated at a site designated for his memorial. While the Congress slammed BJP for “insulting” Dr Singh, the ruling party hit back by accusing the grand old party of engaging in “cheap politics.”

Congress Responds To BJP Charge

Meanwhile, the Congress party reacted sharply to the BJP’s charge, saying that Rahul Gandhi went on a private trip to the foreign and that nobody should have any problem with matters concerning someone’s privacy.

“When will the Sanghis stop this ‘Take Diversion’ politics? The way Modi denied Dr. Saheb a place for cremation on the Yamuna banks and how his ministers cornered Dr. Saheb’s family is shameful. If Mr Gandhi travels privately, why does it bother you? Get well in the New Year,” said Congress MP Manickam Tagore.

BJP Mounts Attack

Speaking on the same lines as Malviya, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonwalla called out Rahul Gandhi for allegedly embarking on a foreign trip when the entire country is in grief over the demise of Dr Singh.

“Rahul Gandhi has changed the meaning of LoP from Leader of Opposition to Leader of ‘pariyatan’ (tourism) and party. At a time, when the entire country is in grief over the demise of former PM Manmohan, as expected, Rahul Gandhi has left for a tour, as per media reports,” Poonwalla said.

He further accused Rahul Gandhi of “partying” all night when the deadly 26/11 attack unfolded in Mumbai, Maharashtra. “He is not at all concerned about the demise of Dr Manmohan Singh,” he added.

Manmohan Singh, the architect of economic reforms in India, passed away at the age of 92 on December 26 after being admitted to AIIMS Delhi after a “sudden loss of consciousness” at home. The hospital statement attributed his death to “age-related medical conditions”

He received full State Honours during the final rites held at Nigambodh Ghat on November 28, with several dignitaries, including President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in attendance.