Congress leader calls Modi ‘coward’; BJP reminds Rahul of Nehru who lost 43,000 square km Indian territory to China; BJP accuses Congress of disparaging the sacrifices of security forces
Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “coward” and accused the Centre of “ceding” Indian territory to China, inviting a sharp rebuttal from the Government even as the BJP reminded Rahul that the country’s security forces and “nation cannot forgive the Gandhi family for losing 43,000 sq kms of land to China”.
“The PM is a coward who cannot stand up to the Chinese. He is betraying the sacrifice of our Army,” Rahul said at a Press conference.
Reacting to the allegation, MoS Home G Kishan Reddy said that Rahul must “ask his grandfather (Jawaharlal Nehru) about who has given India’s territory to China”, while his Ministerial colleague RK Singh termed Rahul’s jibe as immature and unparliamentary.
In a strongly-worded statement, the Ministry said the effective safeguarding of the country’s national interest and territory in the Eastern Ladakh sector has taken place because the Government reposed full faith in the capabilities of the armed forces.
“Those who doubt the achievements made possible by the sacrifices of our military personnel are actually disrespecting them,” the statement said.
The Congress leader’s attack came a day after Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced in Parliament that India and China have reached an agreement on disengagement in the north and south bank of Pangong Lake in eastern Ladakh.
Rahul hit out at the Government questioning why Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given up the country’s territory to China. “How he does it is his problem, not mine,” he added.
Pointing out that the troops are now going to be stationed at Finger 3, moving back from Finger 4, which is also the Indian territory, Rahul asked, “Why has Modi given up our territory to the Chinese?”
Rahul targeted Rajnath for not speaking in Parliament on the “most important strategic area — Depsang Plains — from where China entered”.
Rahul said the “truth is that the Prime Minister has given away the Indian territory to China” and demanded Modi to answer the nation.
Hitting back at Rahul, the BJP accused the Congress leader of “lying left, right and centre” and denigrating the country’s security forces.
“When one does not have a moral conscience, when one cannot contribute anything positive, one resorts to lies. Rahul lied left, right and centre. Perhaps Rahul is depressed that he could not become PM. He knows that even his shadow won’t support him & can’t digest the huge public mandate to Modi,” Union minister and BJP leader Pralhad Joshi said.
Joshi alleged the former Congress chief’s “utterances” are based on far-fetched presumptions and raise “serious doubts on his mental health”.
“The selective amnesia which Rahul often displays seems a regular order. Denigrating efforts and sacrifices of our security forces, whom you are placating? Why? Because you got some donation for your party? Can’t forget your meeting with the Chinese?” Joshi said in a social media post.
Gandhi scion also took to Twitter and sought an explanation from the Government of India. “GOI must explain why our forces are withdrawing from dominant positions in Kailash Ranges? Why we are ceding our territory & withdrawing from forward base at Finger 4 to Finger 3? and Why has China not withdrawn from our territory in Depsang Plains & Gogra Hot Springs?” Rahul tweeted.
AICC chief spokesman and party general secretary Randeep Surjewala said Modi Government’s unpardonable, blatant and brazen compromise of “national security” & India’s “territorial integrity” stands exposed. “Prime Minister and Defence Minister have undermined the astounding valour and insurmountable grit of our Armed Forces, who faced Chinese incursions and aggressions with indomitable courage and sacrifice,” he said in a statement.
The statement of Defence Ministry dated February 12, 2021 issued as part of “Operation Cover-up” has uncovered the conspiratorial mask of a weak-kneed leadership that India does not deserve.
Saturday, 13 February 2021 | PNS | New Delhi
