Rahul Gandhi Faces Backlash Over PM Modi Remark, Rally Turnout Questioned
A fresh political row has erupted after Rahul Gandhi's remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi drew strong reactions from BJP leaders. Meanwhile, NDA leaders have also questioned the turnout at an opposition rally, which fell short of expectations.
Shiv Sena leader Anand Dubey raised doubts over the opposition's ability to draw people to its events. He said the public has understood that opposition leaders are more worried about their families, property and political survival than about protecting democracy. This, Dubey said, explains why the opposition is not getting the expected support from the people.
Dubey said, "Why was the crowd not as big as expected? People have understood that these leaders do not want to save democracy. Their only concern is their family, their property and their political existence."
BJP MP Damodar Das Agarwal hit back at Rahul Gandhi, who serves as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Agarwal said people are asking questions about Gandhi's political future and the legal cases against him. He claimed that after a string of election losses, Gandhi himself may be worried that he could have to go to Italy due to fear of the law or because of the National Herald case. Agarwal alleged that this worry is behind the comments Gandhi has made about Modi.
The BJP MP also said Modi was born and raised in this soil, is serving the country and has vowed to continue serving the nation till his last breath.
Agarwal also commented on Amit Shah's statement regarding the INDI bloc rally. Citing the 1984 Sikh massacre, he said he was in the city on November 1, 1984, for business work and had seen attacks on the Sikh community firsthand.
Agarwal accused Congress-linked individuals of targeting Sikhs and killing them brutally at that time. He said choosing a day like November 1 for a rally was akin to hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community. Instead of holding a political event on that date, he said, Congress should have apologised to the public and the Sikh community for the events of 1984.
BJP national spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain also responded to Rahul Gandhi's statement and said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not going anywhere. He said Modi is a leader fully dedicated to the service of India, who is taking the country forward on the path of development and enhancing India's image and prestige globally.
He further said that Modi is a son of Mother India who has devoted his life to serving the nation, and that under his leadership India continues to advance steadily.