New Delhi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday hit out at Prime Minster Narendra Modi after China again blocked a UN resolution to designate JeM chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist, alleging that the PM is “weak” and “scared” of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The BJP retorted by asking the Congress president why he is in a “celebratory” mood when India is in “pain”.
“Weak Modi is scared of Xi. Not a word comes out of his mouth when China acts against India. NoMo’s China diplomacy: 1. Swing with Xi in Gujarat. 2. Hug Xi in Delhi. 3. Bow to Xi in China,” Mr Gandhi said on Twitter, referring to the unprecedented welcome given to Mr Xi by Mr Modi to in 2014.
As Congress leaders, including Mr Gandhi, used the Chinese action to take a swipe at Mr Modi, the BJP asked, “Why is Rahul Gandhi in a celebratory mood when the country stands pained with this attitude of China?”
Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said that Mr Gandhi, with his comments, is seen to be “in close proximity with Azhar Masood”.
Mr Prasad asked why Mr Gandhi had not made any comment when China had blocked a bid on the same grounds in 2009 when the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government was in power. “Rahul Gandhi’s tweets must be headline news in Pakistan and will be circulated in JeM office with much merry,” the Union minister said.
The Union minister said Mr Gandhi had spoken about meeting Chinese ministers and that the Chinese embassy in India had wanted to see him off when he flew for his Mansarovar pilgrimage last year. However, the permission for this was denied by the government.
Taking a swipe at Mr Gandhi, Mr Prasad said, “If you enjoy such good relations with China, then you should have used your proximity to persuade that country to back the proposal at the UN.”
Earlier, Congress’ chief spokeserson Randeep Surjewala also slammed the government for the setback in the UNSC, and said it was a sad day in the global fight against terrorism.
“China blocking Masood Azhar’s designation as global terrorist reaffirms Chinese position of being an inseparable ally of terrorism’s breeding ground-Pakistan,” he said.
Mr Surjewala asked whether the Prime Minister will answer to the nation why he became “maun Modi” (silent Modi) as India’s interests were repeatedly compromised.
The current situation is an outcome of the “weak-kneed Modi government, bending over backwards before China” over the last five years, the Congress leader claimed.
In his press conference, Mt Prasad blamed the Congress for China becoming a permanent member of the UN Security Council which gives it the power to veto any move in the global body.
Quoting from a book, “Nehru — The invention of India”, written by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, the BJP leader said it has been written that India’s first Prime Minister played a role in China becoming a permanent member of the UNSC.
India under Modi will continue to fight a decisive battle against terrorism, he asserted, adding that the BJP is “pained” if the Congress and Mr Gandhi are happy with the Chinese action.
