A day after Rahul Gandhi’s march to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence turned into a standoff with police, the BJP a sharp political attack on Wednesday (22 July), accusing the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition of undermining the dignity of the PM’s residence and announcing countrywide demonstrations against the Congress.
The party branded the “Chalo PM Residence” march “irresponsible” and “highly condemnable.”
Leading the offensive, senior leader Ravi Shankar Prasad questioned Gandhi at a press conference in New Delhi, pointing to his political lineage.
“He is sitting on a dharna at the gate of the Prime Minister’s residence. His father Rajiv Gandhi was the Prime Minister, his grandmother Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister, and his great-grandfather Jawaharlal Nehru was also the Prime Minister of India. He, of all people, should know the dignity and sanctity of the Prime Minister’s residence. Despite this, the kind of irresponsible behaviour he has displayed is highly condemnable,” Prasad said.
Outlining the BJP’s plan, he added, “The BJP will hold protests today across the country against Congress outside Congress offices for the unruly protest outside the PM’s house yesterday.”
BJP MP Giriraj Singh went further, demanding, “A case of sedition should be filed against Rahul Gandhi.”
The row followed Tuesday’s (21 July) Opposition march to Lok Kalyan Marg, where Congress alleged excessive force, releasing a photograph showing Gandhi with a nosebleed after the police action.