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Priyanka Gandhi raises concern over Rahul's safety, slams BJP's response as 'inferior'
New Delhi, September 20, 2024 (ANI): Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday expressed concern over the safety of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi following recent comments made by BJP leaders.
She mentioned that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about these statements, but the response came from BJP President Jagat Prakash Nadda, which she deemed 'inferior' and 'aggressive.'
According to the Congress leader, due to the unchecked and violent remarks made by certain BJP leaders and ministers, Congress President and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, wrote a letter to the Prime Minister expressing concern for the safety of Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
"If the Prime Minister had faith in democratic values, equal dialogue, and respect for elders, he would have personally responded to this letter. Instead, he had an inferior and aggressive response written by Nadda ji and sent it," she added in her post.
"What was the need to disrespect an 82-year-old senior leader?" Gandhi asked, while also underlining that "The tradition and culture of democracy is to ask questions and communicate. Even in religion, no one is above values like dignity and etiquette."
"The Prime Minister should have set a different example by maintaining the dignity of his post," she added, stating it would have enhanced his public image. Priyanka Gandhi also called it unfortunate that leaders in the highest positions have rejected democratic traditions.
On Thursday, BJP President Nadda had written a letter to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in response to Kharge's letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Nadda criticised Kharge's defence of Rahul Gandhi, calling it an attempt to "polish a failed product."
He accused Rahul Gandhi of repeatedly disrespecting the Prime Minister and the OBC community.
Nadda listed several controversial statements made by Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi's comment where she referred to Modi as a "merchant of death."
He questioned Congress's silence on such remarks and accused the party of not maintaining political standards. "Kharge ji, what has not been said by your leaders about the Prime Minister? Sometimes it is said 'Modi, your grave will be dug,' 'a bastard,' 'merchant of death,' 'a poisonous snake,' 'a demon,' 'a rat,' 'a Hindu terrorist.' Even his parents were insulted," Nadda wrote.
Nadda also accused Rahul Gandhi of supporting anti-national forces and instigating divisions within the country. He questioned, "Is the Congress party proud of Rahul Gandhi because he hugs Pakistan-loving anti-India people, supports terrorists, seeks foreign intervention in India's democracy, instigates caste and reservation politics, or insults Hindu Sanatan culture?"
Meanwhile, Kharge had written a letter to PM Modi calling for action against BJP leaders who made controversial remarks about Rahul Gandhi. He mentioned that a BJP leader had called Rahul Gandhi the "number one terrorist," and a party ally offered a reward for cutting off Gandhi's tongue. Kharge urged PM Modi to take strict legal action against such statements, warning that they could harm Indian politics.
"I urge you to rein in such leaders through discipline and decorum," Kharge wrote. (ANI)