Prime Minister Narendra Modi has “disrespected” Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge by not replying to Mr. Kharge’s letter himself and fielding BJP President J. P. Nadda instead, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said on Friday.
Ms. Vadra, in a post on X, said that in today’s “toxic political atmosphere”, the Prime Minister should have set a different example, keeping the dignity of his post in mind.
On Tuesday, Mr. Kharge had first raised with Mr. Modi the issue of “extremely objectionable” and “violent” statements being made against Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi by ruling alliance members. These statements included one from Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu calling the Lok Sabha Opposition leader the “number one terrorist”.
Mr. Bittu and other BJP leaders had alleged that Mr. Gandhi, during his recent trip to the United States, had given a handle to anti-India forces by questioning the status of religious minorities like Sikhs in India.
In response to the Congress chief’s letter, the BJP chief wrote to Mr. Kharge, accusing Mr. Gandhi of having a history of abusing Prime Minister Modi and Other Backward Classes, and “siding with anti-India forces”.
“If he [Mr Modi] had respectfully replied to the letter of a senior colleague politician, his image and dignity would have increased in the eyes of the public. It is unfortunate that our leaders in the highest positions in the government have rejected these great traditions,” she said.
The Congress leader said that if the Prime Minister believed in democratic values, equal dialogue and respect for elders, he would have personally responded to this letter. “Instead, he got Nadda ji to write a mean and aggressive letter. What was the need to disrespect an 82-year-old senior leader,” she asked.
Responding to her post, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju took to X to defend the government.
“A lesson for someone who does not understand Parliamentary traditions and standards. Mallikarjun Kharge ji is Congress party president, and we respect him. J.P. Nadda ji is national president of BJP. Is Congress party’s president above the BJP president? Mallikarjun ji is Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, but J.P. Nadda ji is the Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha! Is Leader of Opposition above Leader of the House,” the Minister asked without naming Ms. Vadra.
“We all are citizens of India and we all are equals and do not impose dynastic culture on us. Don’t abuse someone who is much senior, has full lifetime experience in public life, and who is the Prime Minister of 140 crore Indians!” Mr. Rijiju wrote.
Published - September 20, 2024 02:59 pm IST
