Rajnath Singh, the Defence Minister, criticised Rahul Gandhi and the Congress on Sunday over the Bharat Jodo Yatra, which is now in its final phase in Jammu and Kashmir. "India is being defamed by those who say that there is hatred in the country," the BJP leader reiterated while lashing out at the Congress MP who has been arguing that the grand old party's mass contact campaign is aimed at tackling the "politics of hate."
Speaking at an event in Madhya Pradesh, Singh stated: "I ask Rahul Gandhi who is holding Bharat Jodo Yatra in the country and saying there is hatred in the country - Who is giving birth to hatred in the country? What has happened to you Rahul ji?" news agency ANI reported.
"Congress leaders raise questions over the bravery of our soldiers. Is India a broken nation that the party trying to unite it? India faced partition in 1947... it won't break further. It is no longer the country that whoever can come and stake claim," the minister further said.
"India's pride should not get hurt. Rahul ji, don't try to spoil the country's image. Politics should not be just for forming governments but to create societies," he added.
Since the start of the Bharat Jodo Yatra in September to reestablish the grand old party's connection with the public, Rahul Gandhi has been criticising the BJP and the RSS, claiming that the country's social fabric has been harmed.
Meanwhile, while complimenting Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the occasion, Rajnath remarked on Sunday: "Corruption could not be eradicated, but harsh steps were implemented under PM Modi's leadership. India is now the world's fifth largest economy. I am convinced that India would be the richest country by 2047."
(With Inputs From ANI)