Dubey Recalls Vajpayee-Advani Defence of Indira, Attacks Congress
New Delhi, October 26: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has criticised the Congress party and Rahul Gandhi, saying the party has been unable to recover from consecutive election defeats. He also raised concerns over abusive language used against the Prime Minister and his parents, warning that such rhetoric undermines the democratic debate.
In a conversation with reporters, Dubey said the Congress party has declined and needs to introspect. He reiterated that personal attacks on political figures and their families are not acceptable.
Dubey drew a historical parallel, referring to 1971-72. He recalled that following the Bangladesh war, American leaders Henry Kissinger and Richard Nixon made disparaging comments about former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He said opposition leaders Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L.K. Advani defended her in Parliament despite political differences. The same spirit of respect, he argued, should guide politics today, since the dignity of the Prime Minister must not be compromised.
He claimed that the Prime Minister is currently facing abusive language, and he objected particularly to remarks about the Prime Minister's mother and father. Dubey said that members of the family of any political leader should be kept out of political attacks.
On the party's electoral position, Dubey observed that Congress has been led by Mallikarjun Kharge and later by Rahul Gandhi, yet has not succeeded in reversing its decline. He said the party's leadership has not been able to restore its strength after repeated defeats.
Dubey also questioned Rahul Gandhi's acquittal in a defamation case concerning remarks made against the Home Minister. He asked whether it is consistent with democratic conduct for the national president of one party to use abusive language against a leader of another party.
He concluded that political parties and leaders in a democracy have the full right to voice their opinions and criticise the government. However, when political opponents feel unable to make their points through democratic debate, he said, they fall back on abusive language, which goes against the principles of democratic propriety.