New Delhi: The BJP accused Rahul Gandhi on Saturday of harming India with his "hatred" for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that his frequent negative statements about the nation from foreign land amounted to "betraying" it, news agency PTI reported.
BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia slammed Gandhi for statements at a meeting in London in which Gandhi accused the governing party of spreading "kerosene all across the country, you need one spark and we would be in big trouble."
"The Indian Foreign Service has changed & they follow the orders of the Government. They counter the arguments of others. It is not called arrogance but it is called confidence & defending National Interest," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Rahul Gandhi.
He has been making statements against India in his strong hatred for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP leader said at a press conference, where he also warned the Congress against speaking badly of India in foreign nations.
He accused Gandhi of carrying kerosene oil to incite riots since the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, calling Gandhi a "part-time, immature, unsuccessful leader of a hopeless Congress" who has frequently spoken negatively about the country in foreign countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Singapore.
"He keeps making such comments frequently and it will not be wrong to say that this amounts to betraying the country," Bhatia was quoted by PTI in its report.
On Friday, the opposition leader, who is on a visit of the United Kingdom, spoke at the 'Ideas for India' conference organised by the non-profit think tank Bridge India.
He assailed the BJP leadership, claiming that Indian democracy is a "global public benefit" and a vital anchor for the world, and that if it breaks, the planet would suffer.
When asked about the Russia-Ukraine crisis, Gandhi compared it to China's activities in Ladakh. He said that, like Pakistan, the "deep state" is devouring India.
Gandhi, according to Bhatia, is a "habitual offender" who constantly makes a larger error than the prior time.
Under Modi, a progressive and powerful India is growing, according to the BJP leader, who added that the country is showing the world the way forward on a range of problems, including the environment. He also mentioned the Covid vaccine shipment from India.
Lashing out at the Congress leader, he said Gandhi should not compare India to Pakistan, which has been ruled by the military for more than half of its history and is currently pleading for survival.
"Beware Rahul Gandhi in comparing India with Pakistan. India was, is and will remain great," Bhatia said.
"While it is well known that the Congress leader hates Modi but he should think twice before speaking against India," he said.
Gandhi, Bhatia alleged, degraded the sacrifices of Indian soldiers in Galwan by equating the situation in Ladakh to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
(With Inputs From PTI)