New Delhi: The BJP Saturday mounted up their attack on Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's claim that the government is "sleeping" over the Chinese threat at Tawan. Top BJP Ministers and party spokespersons tried using their 'nationalist' card by alleging that Rahul's statement meant an "insult" to the Army and to India, in general.
- BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said that Rahul Gandhi's comments on the Chinese clashes at Tawang belittle India and break the morale of the armed forces. He went on to say that if Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge is not "remote controlled" and if the opposition stands by the country, the party should expel Rahul Gandhi for his remark that the Chinese are beating up Indian soldiers in Arunachal Pradesh.
- Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said that Rahul Gandhi is not only insulting the Indian Army but also damaging the country's image. Taking to Twitter, Rijiju said, "Rahul Gandhi is not only insulting Indian Army but damaging nation's image. He is not only a problem for the Congress Party but he has also become a huge embarrassment (for) the country."
- Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also backed Rijiju saying that Rahul Gandhi's statement is outrageous and inspires 'anti-national' elements. "It is going to insult India and the Indian Army at the international level. We condemn this," he said. Recalling the Doklam incident Yogi said that back then "instead of respecting our soldiers," Rahul had doubted them.
- The BJP wants the Congress and Rahul Gandhi to apologize to the soldiers of the country and people, Yogi said. Rahul should refrain from such irresponsible actions that put the country in trouble time and again, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister issued a stern warning.
- Union Minister Anurag Thakur also lambasted Rahul Gandhi saying that while the Indian Army was fighting with Chinese officials, Rahul was busy having soup with Chinese officials. "Even when the Indian Army conducted surgical strikes against Pakistan, he questioned us," he said backing the claim that Rahul and the Congress party have little faith in the army.
- The Union Minister reminded Rahul Gandhi that this is not 'the India of 1962' but 'the India of 2014'. While the UPA government could not purchase fighter jets, bulletproof jackets, or snow boots for the army during their decade-long government, India is moving forward under the leadership of PM Modi, he said.
- Supporting his claim, the Union Minister said that more than 300 defence items are being made in India. India has become 'Atmanirbhar' (meaning self-sufficient) now; it has emerged to be an exporter of defence equipment and not an importer anymore, he added.
- BJP national president JP Nadda backed his party men saying that Rahul Gandhi's statement works to demoralize our Army. "No matter how much it is condemned, it is less," he said. Commenting on the supposed MoU signed by the Communist Party of China with the Congress party Nadda said, "We know in what way the Chinese Embassy has given financial help and funding to the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation. Perhaps this is the reason why Rahul Gandhi repeatedly speaks the language of China and Pakistan."
- Backing the claim made by Anurag Thakur, Nadda also said that Rahul Gandhi quietly met the Chinese officials in the Chinese Embassy while the Indian Army was fighting in Doklam. Recalling how Rahul had earlier raised questions on the surgical strike and Pulwama attack in 2019, Nadda said, "This shows that he does not speak the language of India but of Pakistan."
- Congress MP Rahul Gandhi who has been leading the Bharat Jodo Yatra for the last few months, alleged on Friday that China is preparing for war while the Indian government is asleep and trying to ignore the threat. He also alleged that China has taken away 2,000 square kilometres of Indian territory, killed 20 Indian soldiers and is "beating up our jawans in Arunachal Pradesh".
