Congress and BJP Clash Over Alleged Distortion of India’s Map in Karnataka
New Delhi, 26th December 2024: The Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) clashed again on Thursday, following a series of disputes the previous week, including allegations that Rahul Gandhi injured two MPs and the controversy surrounding George Soros and Sonia Gandhi. This time, the confrontation centred on accusations that Congress distorted a map of India before an event in Karnataka.
The BJP’s state unit shared an image of the controversial poster on social media, condemning Congress for allegedly disrespecting India’s sovereignty by depicting Kashmir as part of Pakistan. The BJP accused Congress of “appeasing their vote bank” and labelled the act as “shameful.”
Congress responded swiftly, calling the BJP’s claims false and accusing the party of attempting to disrupt a “historic” meeting of the Congress Working Committee, which is holding a special session in Belagavi to commemorate 100 years since Mahatma Gandhi chaired a similar meeting.
The row ignited further when BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla criticized Congress, accusing it of harbouring a “Bharat todo, tukde-tukde” mentality and linking the party to pro-Pakistan sentiments. He referred to Rahul Gandhi’s past association with US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who had called for Kashmir to be part of Pakistan, and Sonia Gandhi’s links to an organization with similar views.
Poonawalla also revived the earlier controversy involving George Soros, alleging Congress’s ties with Soros and his organization, OCCRP, to tarnish India’s image. The BJP had previously seized on a report from Mediapart that claimed hidden links between Soros’s OCCRP and the US government, accusing Congress of collaborating with these entities.
Congress fired back, reaffirming its patriotism, but the BJP continued its attacks. Poonawalla reiterated that Congress’s agenda has been to align with Pakistan’s interests, particularly regarding Kashmir, and that this mindset was again exposed. Amit Malviya, another BJP leader, accused the Congress of appeasing Muslims in India, suggesting that the party believes they are more loyal to Pakistan, and labelled Congress as the “New Muslim League.”
