Congress Defends Rahul Gandhi’s Berlin Trip Amid BJP Criticism

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for planning a trip to Berlin during the Parliament’s Winter Session, accusing him of prioritizing foreign travel over his parliamentary duties. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi labeled Gandhi as a “part-time, non-serious political leader,” suggesting that his frequent travels abroad coincide with significant parliamentary discussions.

In response to these accusations, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra defended her brother. She pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi also undertakes numerous international trips and questioned the scrutiny directed towards the Leader of the Opposition. “Modi ji spends almost half of his working time outside the country. Why are they raising questions about the Leader of the Opposition’s visit?” she stated to reporters outside Parliament.

Gaurav Gogoi, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, echoed Priyanka’s sentiment, asserting that the BJP resorts to character attacks when it lacks answers to Gandhi’s inquiries regarding electoral irregularities. “When the BJP does not have an answer to Rahul Gandhi’s questions, their only recourse is to confuse the public and tarnish his image,” he remarked.

Gandhi’s trip to Berlin is scheduled from December 15-20, where he will attend an event organized by the Indian Overseas Congress. The significant gathering on December 17 will provide him an opportunity to engage with the Indian diaspora and IOC leaders from various European nations. The Indian Overseas Congress has characterized this visit as a vital outreach initiative aimed at enhancing global engagement and addressing key issues such as the concerns of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and strengthening the party’s presence abroad.

The controversy surrounding Gandhi’s trip reflects the ongoing political tensions between the BJP and Congress, particularly during crucial parliamentary sessions. With both parties leveraging public statements and media interactions, the debate over the appropriateness of Gandhi’s travel continues to unfold.