BJP slams Rahul for anti-India remarks in US

Bengaluru: In a scathing attack on Rahul Gandhi, Tejasvi Surya, BJP MP for Bengaluru South and president of the BJP Yuva Morcha, condemned the Congress leader's recent speeches in the United States and alleged that "India's enemies are Rahul Gandhi's friends." Surya claimed Gandhi's speeches, which he characterised as filled with falsehoods, have empowered anti-India forces. "Considering the individuals Rahul Gandhi met there, their backgrounds, and their history, it is evident that Rahul Gandhi is on friendly terms with anti-India forces," Surya said addressing a press conference here on Friday. He further criticised Gandhi's meetings with various individuals during his US tour, including Ilhan Omar, known for her critical stance on India. "This becomes amply clear if we look at the background of the people whom he met abroad, including Omar," Surya added. Omar has previously voiced concerns about human rights in Jammu and Kashmir and opposed fast-tracking green cards for Indians in the US. Surya expressed concern that Gandhi's associations might extend to meetings with terrorists in the future. Surya also took aim at Rahul Gandhi's father, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, alleging past failures. "Sikhs were burnt during Rajiv Gandhi-led Congress government," he claimed. He criticized Gandhi for engaging with Khalistani groups such as ‘Sikhs for Justice' and denied claims about Sikh rights in India. "Rahul Gandhi's claim that Sikhs are not allowed to wear turbans and kadas in India is a blatant lie," Surya said. Furthering his criticism, Surya accused Gandhi of hypocrisy. "Rahul Gandhi does not have the basic morality to continue as the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha as he was colluding with Khalistanis, Pakistanis, and Bangladeshis and acting like an agent of China for political gains," Surya said. He expressed scepticism about Gandhi's future political engagements, suggesting he might even share a platform with Jamat-e-Islami. Surya also highlighted a contradiction in Gandhi's stance on reservation policies. "Rahul Gandhi, who strongly bats for reservation when in India, had opposed the same while being in the US. This shows the hypocrisy of Rahul and the Congress party," Surya said.