New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has stirred a controversy after he slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre for failing to handle the coronavirus pandemic and said that Pakistan has done better than India in controlling the outbreak of the deadly disease.

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Speaking at the Lahore Literature Festival, Shashi Tharoor raised several issues from US President Donald Trump's February visit to the Tablighi Jamaat and sought validation for Rahul Gandhi saying the former Congress president had alerted the Modi government about the pandemic but the PM failed to act.

"The Indian government is not doing well and the people realize this. Rahul Gandhi mentioned as early as February that COVID-19 must be taken seriously otherwise India will face economic catastrophe so he should get credit for it," said Tharoor.

Tharoor also accused the Modi government of defaming Tablighi Jamaat in order to justify bigotry and discrimination against the Muslims.

Reacting to Tharoor's statements, the BJP launched a scathing attack on the Thiruvananthapuram MP for 'defaming' India at a Pakistan stage.

"It is unbelievable that Congress leader can give such a statement against India on a platform which is being watched worldwide. He not only made fun of India but also demeaned it", said Sambit Patra while addressing the media.

Calling out Congress for its love for Pakistan, the BJP said, "it is so foolish and juvenile for someone who calls himself an intellectual to say what he said by painting Rahul Gandhi as modern-day Nostradamus."

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