BJP Accuses Rahul Gandhi of Celebrating New Year Abroad During National Mourning
New Delhi, 30th December 2024: Amid reports of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s trip to Vietnam, the BJP has accused him of leaving the country to celebrate New Year while the nation mourns the passing of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. Congress MP B Manickam Tagore has questioned why Gandhi’s private travel concerns the BJP.
This exchange comes amidst a political controversy over Dr Singh’s cremation. Congress has alleged that the BJP humiliated the late Prime Minister by organizing the cremation at Nigam Bodh Ghat. The BJP has rejected these claims, asserting that the Narendra Modi government gave Dr Singh a state funeral and honoured his legacy appropriately.
Amid the ongoing dispute, Gandhi’s trip provided the BJP with a new opportunity to criticize the Leader of the Opposition. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla remarked, “The country is mourning, and the government has declared seven days of national mourning. As expected, Rahul Gandhi has reportedly gone abroad for tourism and celebration. After the 26/11 attacks, reports mentioned him partying all night, and now he’s ignoring Dr Singh’s honour.”
In 2008, after the Mumbai terror attacks, it was reported that Gandhi attended a wedding celebration at a farmhouse in Delhi.
Congress MP Tagore responded to the BJP’s accusations, calling it “diversion politics.” He questioned, “When will the BJP stop using diversion tactics? The way Modi denied Dr Singh a place for his cremation and how his ministers treated Dr Singh’s family is shameful. Why does Gandhi’s private travel bother you?” Tagore wished the BJP a “Happy New Year” on social media.
Congress MP Tariq Anwar defended Gandhi’s trip, explaining that it had been planned. “He paid his respects to Dr Singh and was present during the funeral proceedings,” Anwar said.
Poonawalla also pointed out the absence of Congress leaders during the immersion of Dr. Singh’s ashes in the Yamuna. “No Congress leaders, including those from the first family, were present,” he claimed. “If anyone insulted Dr Singh, it was the Congress and the Gandhi family.”
However, Congress leader Pawan Khera explained that the party leaders deliberately skipped the ashes immersion to respect the family’s privacy. “Since the family had not received privacy during the cremation and some relatives couldn’t reach the site, we felt it was appropriate to allow them privacy during this emotionally difficult ceremony,” Khera said in a statement.
