Rahul Gandhi says, 'PM Modi shed responsibility during 2020 India-China conflict'

LoP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi with Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at the Parliament premises on Wednesday. PIC/PTI

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday cited former Army chief MM Naravane's "unreleased memoir" to claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi shed responsibility during the India-China conflict in 2020 and passed the buck on to Naravane.

Gandhi held up Naravane's unreleased memoir and said he would like the youngsters in India to know that this ‘book' exists despite the government claiming otherwise. "Every youngster in India should read this book," Gandhi said.

He said Naravane has written the full account of what happened in Ladakh. "This book clearly states that when the Chinese army had entered our border, in such a critical moment, the army chief was made to wait. And when the time came to take a decision, the PM simply said - ‘jo aapko uchit lage woh kijiye'," Gandhi said.

"In other words, in the most serious crisis for the country's security, Modi ji evaded political responsibility," he said. The former Congress chief further said the the army chief has written in his book that he felt alone and was abandoned by the entire establishment. "This is what they are scared of me saying in Parliament," Gandhi said.

‘Traitor vs desh ke dushman' in Parl

Ranveet Singh Bittu

Gandhi on Wednesday exchanged barbs with former party colleague and Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu in Parliament premises. In a video, Gandhi was heard calling Bittu "a traitor" and the minister retorting with "desh ke dushman" (enemy of the nation) jibe.

The incident took place right outside Parliament's Makar Dwar. As soon as Gandhi was about to speak, Bittu passed by, and remarked, "the suspended Congress MPs are sitting here as if they have won a war". Gandhi hit back, "There is a traitor walking right by."

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