Rahul thanks Sushma for recognising Congress govts’ role in nation building

In her address at the U.N. General Assembly on Sept. 23, Ms. Swaraj complimented the previous govts for helping to build India.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi. File

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and several of his colleagues took to Twitter to score a political point over External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s speech at the United Nation General Assembly (UNGA) by “thanking her for acknowledging Congress’ contribution to nation building.”

“Sushma ji, thank you for finally recognising Congress government’s great vision and legacy in setting up IITs and IIMs,” the Congress vice-president tweeted.

On Saturday, while launching a scathing attack on Pakistan, Ms. Swaraj said: “We set up IITs, IIMs, AIIMS and ISRO. What did Pakistan make? They have Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Haqqani Network, Hizbul Mujahiddeen.”

‘Befitting reply’

The Congress — often attacked by the BJP for decades of “misgovernance” — saw a political opportunity in Ms. Swaraj’s speech. In a series of tweets, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said: “Thank Sushma Swaraj ji for stating hard facts about India and Pak at UN. Befitting reply to those who ask what happened in last 70 years.”

Mr. Surjewala further added: “Sushma Swaraj ji mirrored the yeoman progress made by India during Congress rule, making inclusive growth and progress as India’s mantra.”

Also Read

Text of Sushma Swaraj's speech at U.N. General Assembly

‘Risky departure’

Former Minister Manish Tewari was sharper in his attack: “Kudos to Sushma Swaraj for being statesperson like at UNGA. Risky departure from Narendra Modi who thinks history started on May 26th 2014.”

Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s monthly radio broadcast Mann Ki Baat where the Prime Minister claimed that the programme “reflected the minds of the countrymen,” the Congress said the Modi government had still not “understood” the people’s concerns.