'They Don't Value Leader Of 60% Indians': Rahul Gandhi On Kharge Not Being Invited For G20 Dinner

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi attacked the Centre for not inviting Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge to the G20 dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu in Delhi.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in Belgium.

Source : PTI

In a veiled attack on the BJP-led Central government, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that the democratic structures of India are 'under attack' from a group of people who are running the country. He said that there are some serious issues about the type of actions that are being taken with regard to institutions and democracy in India. His remarks came during his address to the international media at Brussels Press Club, Belgium. Notably, Gandhi is on a week-long tour to Europe to connect with the Indian diaspora there.

While interacting with the press, the former Congress President shared his views on a range of issues including the G20 Summit, Russia-Ukraine war and Article 370. 

He claimed that Dalits, tribal and other lower caste communities are under threat in India and there's an attempt to change the very nature of the country.

"Minorities including Dalits, tribal and lower caste communities are under attack. There is an attempt to change the nature of our country. BJP wants power and wealth to be centralised," he said, adding that "the democratic structures of the country are under attack from a group of people who are running India".

'They Don't Value Leader Of 60% Indians'

Responding to a question about Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge not being invited to the G20 Summit dinner by the President in Delhi, the Congress MP said that the Centre doesn't value the leader of 60 per cent of the country's population.

"What is contrary about it? They have decided not to invite the Leader of the Opposition. It tells you something. It tells you that they don't value the Leader of 60% of India's population. It's something that people should think about - why they are feeling the need to do that and what is the type of thinking that goes behind that," he added.

VIDEO | "They have decided not to invite the Leader of Opposition. It tells you that they don't value the leader of 60 per cent of India's population," says Congress MP @RahulGandhi on party president Mallikarjun Kharge not being invited to G20 dinner hosted by the President. pic.twitter.com/9rxSvW76o3

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 8, 2023

On the G20 Summit, he said it is an important conversation and Indian hosting the same is a 'good thing'.

Furthermore, on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Rahul Gandhi said that the opposition shares the same stance as that of the government as far as this conflict is concerned.

"I think the Opposition, by and large, would agree with India's current position on the conflict (between Russia and Ukraine). We have a relationship with Russia. I don't think the Opposition would have a different position than what the Government is currently proposing," the leader said to the press.

 

Kashmir Should Develop, Progress: Gandhi On Article 370

Rahul Gandhi also addressed the concern about his views on Article 370. He said that his party's stance has always been clear on the matter and it is mentioned in a resolution passed in the CWC.

VIDEO | "Our position on Article 370 is very clear. It's in a resolution passed in the CWC. We are for ensuring that every single person in our country has a voice, and is allowed to express themselves. We feel very strongly that Kashmir should develop, Kashmir should progress,… pic.twitter.com/7uQGoAFArE

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 8, 2023

"We are for ensuring that every single person in our country has a voice, and is allowed to express themselves. We feel very strongly that Kashmir should develop, Kashmir should progress, and there should be peace," the Congress leader said.