Shiv Sena, BJP slam Rahul Gandhi’s ‘vote chori’ remarks in Germany

Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. File pic

As Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi reiterated his allegations of "vote chori" during his Germany visit, the BJP and the Shiv Sena, slamming the Leader of Opposition, said that the statements made by him were part of a larger conspiracy, news agency IANS reported.

The BJP also alleged that Gandhi's statements reflect a pattern he repeatedly follows during his foreign visits.

During his visit to Germany, the Congress Member of Parliament (MP) said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for India was fundamentally flawed and destined to fail, IANS reported.

The senior Congress leader also launched a fierce attack on the ruling party, repeating his charge of "vote chori" and claiming that the country is witnessing a "full-scale assault on the institutional framework".

Reacting to his statements, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said, "The country starts laughing sarcastically the moment it hears Rahul Gandhi's name. Many of his statements cause great distress to the people of the country."

"In my view, Rahul Gandhi's situation is like making holes in the very plate from which one eats. When someone goes abroad and speaks ill of India, serious questions arise about their commitment to the country. Either he is doing this under some conspiracy, or he is doing it out of ignorance and foolishness." Tiwari added.

BJP National Spokesperson Shazia Ilmi also came down heavily on the Congress leader.

While speaking to the media on Tuesday, she said, "How shameful it is that our LoP Rahul Gandhi is praising China and admiring it when he is the same person who once called the Indian economy a 'dead economy'. What could be more shameful than this? This is not a coincidence; it is a pattern."

Ilmi further alleged a larger international link behind Gandhi's foreign engagements, IANS reported.

"Since 2014, Rahul Gandhi has gone on 247 foreign trips. Some are described as personal, but there is an entire George Soros ecosystem involved. George Soros has openly stated that Prime Minister Modi should be removed from power, which amounts to an attack on the country's democratic process. Rahul Gandhi meets people connected to this ecosystem and supports such individuals," she said.

Another BJP National Spokesperson, Syed Zafar Islam, said Gandhi resorts to such tactics after electoral setbacks.

"Whenever he faces a crushing defeat, like in Bihar, the country knows the reason behind it. The BJP works dedicatedly for the people, staying among them. In contrast, Congress workers are loyal only to the Gandhi family, not the public. To hide defeats and malign India, he goes abroad spreading lies," he said.

Shiv Sena slams Rahul Gandhi

BJP's ally Shiv Sena also criticised Gandhi's remarks, saying that raising domestic issues on foreign soil was inappropriate.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam, while addressing the media, highlighted, "You are free to raise your voice as loudly as you want on India's internal matters within the country; that is your democratic right. But you should not go on foreign soil and make anti-India statements."

The Congress, however, strongly defended Gandhi and rejected the BJP's criticism, asserting that the issues raised by him are evident to the world.

(With inputs from IANS)