BJP–Congress exchange charges over Rahul Gandhi's meeting with 'anti-India, anti-Hindu' Jeremy Corbyn

Tribune News Service

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 24

The BJP and the Congress today exchanged charges over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s “meeting” with former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, “the man infamous for his anti-India and anti-Hindu stance advocating separation of Kashmir from India” during his visit to UK. The Congress retaliated with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with the controversial UK leader, questioning whether he endorsed Corbyn’s views on India.    

Tagging a photograph of Gandhi with Sam Pitroda and Corbyn posted by the Indian Overseas Congress, BJP leader Kapil Mishra questioned: “What is Rahul Gandhi doing with Jeremy Corbyn (guy in the middle) in London? Jeremy Corbyn is infamous for anti- India, anti-Hindu stand. Jeremy Corbyn is openly advocating separation of Kashmir from India”.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla added: “whether it is meeting with anti-India elements like Jeremy Corbyn, who echo Pak propaganda on Kashmir, or signing an MoU with the Chinese and taking Chinese money into the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, or meeting the Chinese during Doklam, Rahul stands steadfast with anti-India forces. Why oppose the country in an attempt to oppose PM Modi?”

“Anti-Hindu and anti-India forces in the UK received open support from Rahul Gandhi,” said BJP’s foreign affairs in-charge Vijay Chauthaiwale.

Defending Gandhi, Congress General Secretary Randeep Surjewala said taking a picture with a political leader who has different views was “neither a crime nor an act of terror”.

Posting a photograph of Corbyn with PM Modi, Surjewala asked: “May I also ask our media friends to identify the two men in picture below and ask the same questions? Does it mean PM has endorsed Jeremy Corbyn’s views on India?”

Attacking the BJP, he further urged for a  debate on why PM Modi met “President Xi Jinping, when China has occupied our territory”, why he addressed Mehul Choksi as “Hamare Mehul Bhai” during a public function, go to Pakistan to meet the then PM Nawaz Sharif, take Nirav Modi to Davos and include him in common photos. 

“Will the government promise it will never ever meet anyone having divergent views from us,” he said, calling the attack against Gandhi a “propaganda”.

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