Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while taking a swipe at the BJP-led government's China policy, said on Monday, 11July, that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was "afraid of China" and "hides the truth from the public."
Earlier on Monday, party spokesperson Gaurav Gogoi, while taking a swipe at the BJP-led government, reframed popular Bollywood film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge's (DDLJ ) acronym to criticise the government's China policy. He said at a press conference, that PM Modi's strategy can be summed up with" DDLJ: Deny, Distract, Lie, Justify."
In the war of words that ensued, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi invoked a Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak Reference adding that the film aptly described the internal situation in the Congress.
Congress Comments, BJP Responds
Gandhi further said on Twitter that the PM "just saves his image," "lowers the morale of the Army," and "plays with the security of the country".
"The increasing infiltration of China and the silence of the prime minister are very harmful for the country," he added in Hindi.
Congress General Secretary and in-charge for communications Jairam Ramesh joined in too.
However, Trivedi's response about "Qayamat ka hal hai" (It is like an apocalypse within the party), hinted at the internal rebellion plaguing the Congress, most recently in Goa.
Additionally, he wondered if the party had any faith in the army at all. "Or do you want to do politics over his statement," he asked.
"I want to ask the Congress if it has trust in the Indian Army or not, or whether it trusts the reply of the Indian Army chief or not? Or do you want to do politics over his statement," he asked at a press conference.
Trivedi further attacked the Congress over its leadership's alleged involvement in the National Herald money laundering case, saying it must be the only party whose president and former president are on bail in a corruption case.
'Status Quo Must Be Restored'
Gogoi also urged the PM to take the nation into confidence on the Chinese transgressions into India, and asked him to address the concerns on national security, integrity, and sovereignty.
The party also demanded the immediate withdrawal of the Agnipath scheme, alleging that it "threatens to demoralise troops at a time of high national security threat."
"This expansion is aimed at giving China the capability of quick escalation and rapid manoeuvre in eastern Ladakh. It is clear that the Chinese are being hyper-aggressive, while our leadership prefers to deceive the Indian people under its DDLJ strategy," Gogoi alleged.
"The Congress party's stand is crystal clear: the status quo ante prevailing on the LAC prior to 5 May 2020 must be restored at all costs," he demanded, adding that there can be no comprise on this.
(With inputs from PTI.)
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