Rahul Gandhi accuses PM Modi of receiving invitation to Trump’s inauguration
New Delhi:
The Lok Sabha witnessed a tense exchange between the treasury benches and the Opposition today as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made a controversial statement regarding External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s presence at the inauguration of US President Donald Trump. Mr. Gandhi alleged that Jaishankar was sent to ensure a US invite for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sparking strong objections from BJP MPs and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.
Rahul Gandhi’s Critique of President’s Address
During the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, Rahul Gandhi expressed his disappointment with the repetitive nature of the President’s address, stating that it was a “laundry list” of government achievements that he had heard before. He highlighted the issue of unemployment in the country, criticizing both the UPA and NDA governments for failing to address the concerns of the youth.
Criticism of Make in India Initiative
Gandhi pointed out that despite the government’s Make in India initiative, the share of manufacturing in India’s GDP had declined. He acknowledged the efforts of Prime Minister Modi but stated that the initiative had not been successful. He emphasized the importance of focusing on production rather than just consumption to avoid economic deficits and social problems.
Call for Building Production Network
Gandhi raised concerns about India’s lack of production and consumption data, highlighting the need to build a production network to support initiatives like artificial intelligence. He referenced China’s control over production data and the US’s dominance in consumption data, underscoring the importance of India developing its own data infrastructure.
Controversial Statement on Trump Inauguration
Mr. Gandhi’s remark about Jaishankar’s attendance at Trump’s inauguration and its connection to securing an invite for Prime Minister Modi sparked outrage among the treasury benches. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rijiju demanded an apology from Gandhi for making unsubstantiated claims about the country’s foreign policy.
Response and Apology
In response to the objections, Rahul Gandhi apologized for causing any disturbance but stood by his statement. The heated exchange in the Lok Sabha highlighted the ongoing tensions between the ruling party and the Opposition on various issues.
Overall, the incident underscored the political divide in the country and the challenges faced in addressing key issues such as unemployment and economic growth.