A fresh exchange of allegations erupted between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress following former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s demise and subsequent political developments. BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya on Monday accused Congress MP Rahul Gandhi of "exploiting" Manmohan Singh’s death for “expedient politics” while allegedly leaving the country to celebrate the New Year in Vietnam.
"While the country is mourning Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s demise, Rahul Gandhi has flown to Vietnam to ring in the New Year," Malviya wrote on X. He further alleged that the Congress harboured contempt for Sikhs, referencing former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s actions during Operation Blue Star.
Responding to these remarks, Congress leader Manickam Tagore fired back, accusing the BJP of indulging in “diversion politics.” “When will the Sanghis stop this ‘take diversion’ politics? The way Modi denied Saheb a place for cremation on the Yamuna banks and how his ministers cornered Saheb’s family is shameful," Tagore posted on X.
He also questioned why Rahul Gandhi’s private travels were being scrutinised, wishing Malviya to “get well in the New Year.”
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Rahul Gandhi Alleged 'Insult' To Manmohan Singh Over Nigambodh Ghat Funeral, BJP Called 'Cheap Politics'
This comes after Rahul Gandhi alleged insult to Manmohan Singh during last rites. "Manmohan Singh, a great son of Bharat Mata and the first Sikh Prime Minister, was insulted by holding his funeral at Nigambodh Ghat," he remarked, highlighting Manmohan Singh’s contributions as a transformative leader who served the underprivileged. Rahul Gandhi stressed the need for a memorial to honour Manmohan Singh’s legacy and ensure the dignity of all former prime ministers.
Meanwhile, BJP president J P Nadda dismissed the Congress's allegations as "cheap politics," asserting that the Modi government had allocated space for Manmohan Singh's memorial and duly informed his family. "It’s very unfortunate that Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge are not refraining from playing politics even over the former prime minister’s sad demise," Nadda said.
He accused the Congress of hypocrisy, stating, "Congress, which never gave respect to Manmohan Singh while he was alive, is now doing politics in the name of his respect." Nadda also highlighted instances where the Congress allegedly sidelined prominent leaders such as P V Narasimha Rao, B R Ambedkar, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
"The Gandhi family has neither given respect to any big leader of the country nor done justice to them," Nadda remarked, recalling that it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who established memorials for Rao and other leaders previously ignored by the Congress.