New Delhi [India], February 2 (ANI): Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday hailed Rahul Gandhi’s speech on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address, called it a “powerful message” and alleged that the country has been weakened in domestic unity and on external national security.

Earlier, Gandhi, in his speech, alleged that the present dispensation has defied the strategic goal of India’s foreign policy of keeping China and Pakistan separate and has brought both countries together. Speaking to ANI, Tharoor said, “We (Congress) are saying that the country has been weakened in both its domestic unity and strength and in its external national security. That, I think, is a very powerful and important message.”

The Congress MP also emphasized that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the past always made sure that China did not take advantage of the war-like situation between India and Pakistan. “In many ways, any risk of Chinese involvement was neutralized by Indira Gandhi’s outreach to Moscow. There were always approaches made to ensure that when Pakistan was getting belligerent, China didn’t take advantage and when China attacked us, Pakistan didn’t get active against us,” he said while highlighting the achievement of Indira Gandhi’s foreign policy.

“So, this is a new situation as he is suggesting and I think it’s very important that these messages be listened to. We are not suggesting that as far as the country is concerned, we are facing war tomorrow,” Tharoor added. (ANI)

Attempt being made to abolish institutions, says Gehlot hailing Rahul Gandhi’s speech

Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], February 2 (ANI): Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday lauded Rahul Gandhi’s speech in Lok Sabha and said that his speech was the voice of the common man of the country alleging that the focus of the Centre is on the service of big “capitalists”.
Earlier today, criticizing the President’s address, Gandhi said the speech had no strategic vision and did not touch upon the main challenges that our country is facing currently including the growing gap between the extremely rich and the poor in the country.

Taking to Twitter, Gehlot said in Hindi, “Rahul Gandhi’s speech in Lok Sabha is the voice of the common man of the country. In India today, an attempt is being made to abolish institutions and implement the rule of just one person. The gap between rich and poor is increasing. The focus of the Modi government is only on the service of the big capitalists.”

The Chief Minister further said that the Central government takes “unilateral decisions” without consulting the states which leads to disputes between the Centre and the states.

“Raising the voice of the states, Rahul ji said the truth that the central government does not believe in dialogue with the states. The central government takes unilateral decisions without consulting the states on which there are disputes. The people of the country have decided to make up their minds against the repressive policies of the BJP,” he said. (ANI)

Kiren Rijiju demands Rahul Gandhi’s apology over remarks on judiciary, Election Commission

New Delhi [India], February 2 (ANI): 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.

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”.

Participating in the debate on the motion of thanks on the President’s Address, Gandhi accused the Centre of having a “flawed vision” and centralising power. He said, “the idea of king has come back”.

“There are two visions– one is the union of states, the union of languages and the union of cultures. This is like a bouquet of flowers and no power in the world could challenge this bouquet. There is another vision of ruling by a stick by Centre. You people have no idea of history. Because every time it has been attempted, the stick to be broken and smashed. The result of the flawed vision of the centre is two Indias being created,” he said.

“This centralised 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.

In July 2021, names of several opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi and over 40 Indian journalists appeared on the leaked list of potential targets for surveillance allegedly using Pegasus spyware, according to a news report. Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had responded to the opposition allegations in Parliament and said “there is no substance behind the sensationalism”.

The 2022 Budget Session of the Parliament commenced on January 31 with President Ram Nath Kovind’s address. The first part of the budget session is being held from January 31 to February 11 and the second part will take place from March 14 to April 8. (ANI)

Pralhad Joshi calls Rahul Gandhi ‘mindless leader’ who needs lessons in history

New Delhi [India], February 2 (ANI): Following Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s address in Lok Sabha on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address on Wednesday, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi called Wayanad MP a “confused, mindless leader” who needs lessons in history.

Earlier today, Rahul Gandhi hit out at the central government for the faulty domestic policies as well as a flawed foreign policy that brought Pakistan and China together.

Speaking to ANI, Joshi said, “Rahul Gandhi is a confused leader. The industrialists that he was talking about inside the Parliament, did not come up during the BJP rule. If he is getting the opportunity to speak as a Congress leader, it is only because he is from the Gandhi family. PM Modi is a democratically elected Prime Minister.”

Gandhi, in his speech, alleged that the present dispensation has defied the strategic goal of India’s foreign policy of keeping China and Pakistan separate and has brought both countries together. “The single biggest strategic goal of India’s foreign policy has been to keep Pakistan & China separate…You have brought Pakistan and China together. This is the single biggest crime that you could commit against the people of India,” Gandhi said inside the Parliament.

Responding to his allegations, Joshi said that he should have knowledge of history. “While talking about China, he should have knowledge of the history,” he said. “Instead of giving constructive suggestions, the ones who signed a free-trade agreement with China taking money for the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation is saying that China has got a clear vision. It was a directionless speech. Tibet problem is because of Congress only,” he added.

“They(Congress) have not understood China from the days of “Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai” till today. They are the same people who used to retreat when China behaved in such a way. For the first time, India has retaliated and was successful. Nobody should have any doubts that India is capable of keeping itself secure, be it with Pakistan or China,” he said while criticising him for trying to politicise defence and foreign policy matters.

The 2022 Budget Session of the Parliament commenced on January 31 with President Ram Nath Kovind’s address. The first part of the budget session is being held from January 31 to February 11 and the second part will take place from March 14 to April 8. (ANI)