The United States has said that it “would not endorse” Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on the foreign policies of the BJP-led government, which the Congress leader alleged had brought “China and Pakistan together”
Our Bureau
New Delhi
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday attacked the BJP-led government in Lok Sabha stating that “institutions of our country are being attacked and captured by one idea” and “the judiciary, the Election Commission, Pegasus, are all instruments of destroying the voice of the union of states”. The speech was widely
Slamming the central government over the faulty policies, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said India is facing the highest level of unemployment in 50 years under the current Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government at the Centre.
Rahul Gandhi said, “Government speaks of providing employment. 3 crore youth lost their jobs in 2021. Today India is facing the highest unemployment in 50 years. You talk of Made-in-India, Start-Up India, but the youth did not get the employment they were supposed to. The one they had has disappeared. The government pushed 23 crore people back into poverty.” The Congress MP said the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government had pulled 27 crore people out of poverty in 10 years.
Gandhi further slammed the government for having made huge strategic mistake in foreign policy which brought China and Pakistan together. “The single biggest strategic goal of India’s foreign policy has been to keep Pakistan and China separate. But what you have brought the two countries (Pakistan and China) together. This is the single biggest crime you have committed against the people of India,” says Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha.
He further said that the Presidential Address did not mention the idea of “two Indias”.
“I think there were three fundamental things that were not spoken about in the Presidential Address. First, and what I consider to be the most important, is the idea that there are now two Indias. There is now no longer one India,” said Rahul Gandhi.
“One India is for the extremely rich people – for those who have immense wealth, immense power, for those who do not need a job, those who do not need water connection, electricity connections, but for those who control the heartbeat of the country. And then another India for the poor. The gap between these two Indias is widening,” he added.
Later, BJP leaders targeted Rahul Gandhi over his remarks concerning the judiciary and Election Commission. Participating in the debate on the motion of thanks on the President’s Address, Gandhi accused the Centre of having a “flawed vision” and centralizing power. He said “the idea of king has come back”.
“This centralized vision of king has been removed by Congress in 1947. Now the idea of king has come back. Now there is a king, a Shahenshah, a ruler of rulers and master of masters. As a result, the instrument of conversation between states and our people which we call the institutions of our country are being attacked and captured by one idea. The judiciary, the Election Commission, Pegasus, these are all instruments of destroying the voice of the union of states,” he added.
Following Rahul Gandhi’s attack on judiciary and Election Commission, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday demanded an apology from the Congress leader saying “he has no regard for constitutional authorities”.
Taking to Twitter, the Union Minister said, “Not only as India’s Law Minister but also as an ordinary citizen, I condemn what Rahul Gandhi has said about India’s judiciary and Election Commission. These are vital institutions of our democracy. Rahul Gandhi should immediately apologize to the people, judiciary and EC.” “We know that Rahul Gandhi does not believe in democracy and he has no regard for constitutional authorities. We do not take his habitual senseless comments seriously but since he has abused constitutional authorities from the Parliament house, he must tender unconditional apology,” added Rijiju.
In Washington, the United States has said that it “would not endorse” Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on the foreign policies of the BJP-led government, which the Congress leader alleged had brought “China and Pakistan together.”
Responding to a question on Rahul Gandhi suggesting that China and Pakistan are closer due to the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government, US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price in a press briefing said, “I will leave it to the Pakistanis and the PRC to speak to their relationship. I certainly would not – would not endorse those remarks.” Asked about Pakistan working closely with China, the spokesperson said that countries are not required to choose between the US and China, adding that American partnership conveys a series of advantages.
