NEW DELHI: Tensions between the Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress arise after the party claimed that Rahul Gandhi was traveling to Vietnam during former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s seven-day national mourning period. A war of words broke out.
In a post on X, BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya accused Rahul Gandhi of politicizing Manmohan Singh’s death.
“As the country mourns the death of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Rahul Gandhi flies to Vietnam to ring in the new year.Rahul Gandhi politicizes and exploits Dr Singh’s death for opportunistic politics. But his contempt for him cannot be overlooked,” Malviya said.
“Gandhi and Congress hate Sikhs. We must never forget that Indira Gandhi desecrated Darbar Sahib,” he added.
Responding to the BJP’s accusations, Congress president Manjikam Tagore said, “When will the Sangis stop this ‘change of direction’ politics?The way Prime Minister Modi denied Dr. Saheb a cremation site on the banks of the Yamuna, and the way his ministers The way the doctor’s family was cornered is shameful.” ”
“If Mr. Gandhi travels privately, why bother? Have a good New Year,” he added.
This came a day after the BJP questioned the Gandhi family for not showing up to collect Manmohan Singh’s remains.
Congress said it did not accompany Manmohan Singh’s ashes during the immersion to ensure their family’s privacy.
“After discussions with them, we found that it was important to give them some privacy for ‘pur chunana’ as their families do not have any privacy during cremation and some relatives were not able to go to the cremation site. “We felt it was appropriate,” the council said in a statement, “and burying the remains is an emotionally painful and difficult ritual for the next of kin.”
After the nation bid farewell to Manmohan Singh on Saturday, a political clash erupted between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress over the latter’s demand to cremate him at a site designated as a memorial. The Congress alleged “contempt and grave contempt” for Singh by the Bharatiya Janata Party, while the ruling party accused the Congress of engaging in “cheap politics” over the former prime minister’s funeral.
On Friday, the Center announced that Mr Singh’s last rites would be performed at Nigambor Ghat, despite a request by Congress to set up a dedicated site for a future memorial. The center said in a statement that a trust will be established and space will be allocated for a memorial, but funerals will still take place at the crematorium. Since then, prominent leaders from both sides have been engaged in a bitter spat over allegations of “disrespect” towards the late Manmohan Singh.
Places under consideration for constructing memorials to Mr. Singh include near Kisan Ghat, a memorial to former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh, and Rashtriya, the designated place for the last rites of the president, vice president and prime minister.・It is believed that the area near Smriti Sthal is included. Both locations are close to the Yamuna river and a decision is expected in the next few days.
