BJP attacks Rahul over ‘traitor’ remark on PM Modi

NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi after he alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah were “traitors” who had worked to “sell India”.BJP president Natin Nabin termed Rahul’s statement “regrettable” and said his continuous electoral defeats and the resulting frustration were now manifesting in his temperament and character.“Rahul Gandhi’s statement today is deeply unfortunate and, in a way, reveals his anarchic mindset. I believe that in the context of Indian politics, where propriety and social harmony are intertwined with the mutual respect accorded to one another, his statement is truly regrettable. I feel that his continuous electoral defeats and the ensuing frustration are now manifesting in his temperament and character,” Nabin said.“It is this very desperation and despondency that are driving him to make such statements today. I question the manner in which you choose your words: Is the eradication of Naxalism an act of treason? Is safeguarding this country’s territory an act of treason? Is elevating the global prestige of India’s Tricolour an act of treason?” he added.The BJP’s response came after Rahul, speaking at a rally in Uttar Pradesh’s Rae Bareli, alleged that the BJP had insulted freedom fighters such as Mahatma Gandhi and B. R. Ambedkar. He also reiterated that the Modi government’s policies had damaged India’s economy.“What would you call a person who attacks and destroys the Constitution? You would call him a traitor. That is why I have openly stated that Narendra Modi and Amit Shah are attacking the Constitution. They have handed over the nation’s assets to Adani and Ambani, dismantled the country’s institutions, and aided in the theft of votes,” Rahul said.“Members of the RSS, take note: You demanded that I apologize, but I will never apologize. I reiterate once again that Amit Shah and Narendra Modi are traitors because they have attacked the Constitution. I am not afraid of you,” he added.The Congress leader also accused the Union government of weakening MGNREGA, privatising the public sector, and appointing RSS-linked vice-chancellors who, he alleged, had little knowledge of science, history or geography, but were chosen because of their ideological affiliation.Rahul further alleged that the Constitution’s principle of “one person, one vote” was being undermined through special intensive revision of electoral rolls and the deletion of “crores of votes”.“Those who do not vote for them are being removed from voter lists… The Constitution is under attack 24 hours,” he said.“But the truth is now emerging and no one will be spared,” he added.