The BJP on Thursday accused Congress president Rahul Gandhi of running down India in his address at an event in Hamburg, Germany, and sought explanations from him on his comments there.
Addressing a press conference, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said that Mr. Gandhi “left no opportunity to belittle India and to present it in a bad light,” adding that he needed “explanations.”
“Rahul Gandhi has tried to justify terrorism and give justification for the Islamic State (IS),” said Mr. Patra. “There cannot be anything more frightening and worrying,” he claimed.
He said that Mr. Gandhi’s reported submission was that minorities in India would “sell their soul” to the IS if jobs are not available for them, and this amounted to “denigrating” the community.
Mr. Gandhi has a poor opinion of India, Mr. Patra said. The Congress chief harped on about China even though, he claimed, India had become one of the leading countries in the world under the Modi government.
“His speech was full of lies and deception. I wonder whether the figures Rahul Gandhi cited of China producing 50 jobs every 24 hours compared to 44 in India, were manufactured in 10 Janpath,” he said. “You have no data and you do no preparation,” Mr. Patra said.
On remarks about the status of women in India Mr. Patra said Sonia Gandhi was the Congress chief for over 19 years and ruled India as a “proxy prime minister” for 10 years.
“Wasn’t this Indian culture which helped her reach the top? Rahul and Sonia Gandhi should come out and explain how they can point fingers at this great Indian culture,” he said, demanding an apology from Mr. Gandhi.
Citing statistics, he said that under the Congress-led UPA government, the Right to Food law was implemented in only 11 States, while the BJP-led NDA dispensation has brought it into force in all States and UTs, he said.
The rural employment scheme (MGNREGA) became a “monumental success” under the current government from the “monument to failure” it was under the UPA, he claimed, adding that over 56% of its workforce are women, its highest figure.
