Union Minister Kiren Rijiju responded sharply to Rahul Gandhi's accusation that Prime Minister Narendra Modi relied on "foreign help" to gain power on Tuesday, comparing the Leader of the Opposition's comments to "Islamic fundamentalists talking about secularism".
Rijiju added that "top-level debates are done between matured people" in response to Gandhi's demand for an open discussion about who received "foreign help"—the opposition or Prime Minister Modi.
PM Modi accused "certain forces are continuously engaged in conspiracies to divide the country" last week, a jab at the Congress. The Prime Minister said, subtly alluding to Gandhi's international travels, "Who is covertly meeting whom abroad?
Whom do anti-Indian forces back?
Gandhi retaliated by accusing Modi of utilizing foreign assistance to become prime minister and to stay in office.
"Foreigners have complete control over and support for your banking system. You have complete support from international social media. I'd like to have an honest discussion with you about this. Any moment, any stage. Gandhi wrote, "Come if you have the courage.
On Tuesday, Rijiju responded to the Congress leader by accusing him of "pushing agendas of India's enemies" and claiming that it was absurd to accuse others of obtaining foreign assistance.It's similar to separatists waving Indian flags, anarchists displaying the Constitution, and Islamic extremists discussing secularism," he continued.
Modi said that social media was being exploited to spread rumors and that obstructionist elements were trying to split the nation during his visit to Gujarat on Saturday.Some domestic forces were also causing instability by disseminating rumors and misinformation as the nation was looking for answers to external problems. However, the Prime Minister stated, "The citizens stood side by side with the country."
Modi made fun of the opposition by claiming that it was no longer a "Virodh Paksh" (opposition) but rather a "Avrodh Paksh" (obstructionist group).Unfortunately, the opposition in this country has become an Avrodh Paksh instead of a Virodh Paksh. These individuals are impeding the progress of the nation out of frustration. "This is obstruction, not opposition," he declared.
"These folks have now come out in the open because they have been frustrated for over ten years. Who is meeting whom overseas in secret? Who is speaking the language of India's adversaries, and who are the anti-Indian forces backing? We will need to identify each of these trends," Modi continued.
Gandhi then retaliated against the Prime Minister, accusing him of depending on outside assistance to stay in office. With the Union Minister accusing the Congress leader of pushing an anti-India agenda, Rijiju's most recent comments have intensified the verbal spat.
