Thu Sep 12 12:33:04 UTC 2024: ## BJP Slams Rahul Gandhi for Meeting with Ilhan Omar in US, Accuses Congress of Anti-India Stance
New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi’s recent meeting with US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar during his US visit has sparked heated criticism from the BJP, who have accused the Congress leader of associating with “anti-India elements.”
Omar, known for her opposition to certain Indian policies, including the abrogation of Article 370, has been labeled as a “Pakistan-sponsored” and “anti-India” voice by the BJP.
Amit Malviya, head of the BJP IT Cell, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his disapproval, stating, “India’s Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi meets Ilhan Omar in the USA, a Pakistan-sponsored anti-India voice, a radical Islamist, and an advocate of independent Kashmir. Congress is now openly working against India.”
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla echoed the sentiments, accusing Gandhi of aligning with anti-India forces on foreign soil. He pointed to Omar’s history of introducing anti-India resolutions in the US Congress and her trip to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) sponsored by Pakistan.
Poonawalla questioned, “Why did Rahul Gandhi have to meet her? Why is he engaging with the most radical anti-India elements on every foreign trip?”
Similarly, BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari asserted that Gandhi’s meeting with Omar demonstrated his endorsement of “Pakistan sympathizers and anti-India elements.” Bhandari said, “Rahul Gandhi’s meeting with Pro-Pakistan Ilhan Omar has made it clear that Congress is willing to compromise with India’s national security.”
Gandhi’s US tour, his first since becoming Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, included a series of interactions with the Indian diaspora, students, and US lawmakers. He met with US diplomat Donald Lu, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, engaging in discussions focused on strengthening India-US relations, youth empowerment, and the role of women in shaping the future.
Despite the BJP’s criticism, Gandhi described his visit as productive. The Congress leader’s Facebook post highlighted his “dynamic and engaging” interactions with students and faculty at the University of Texas.
The BJP’s criticism of Gandhi’s meeting with Omar is the latest in a series of accusations aimed at the Congress leader. The ruling party has frequently targeted Gandhi for his remarks on foreign soil, accusing him of undermining India’s image internationally. The BJP claims that the Congress’s association with figures like Ilhan Omar reflects a broader pattern of compromising national security for political gain.
As Gandhi continues his US tour, the political tensions between the BJP and Congress show no signs of easing, with both parties positioning themselves ahead of upcoming elections and international diplomatic engagements.
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