BJP rattled by response to 'Bharat Jodo Yatra': Congress

Congress spokesperson asked when will Modi come out and apologise to Gandhi, and the nation, for the 'insensitive and toxic comments'

Congress on Monday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of resorting to “niggling tricks” and “blatant lies” to misguide people on ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’. The Congress said it displayed the “fear” and “frustration” of the ruling party that has been unsettled by the success of the programme.

Party spokesperson Gourav Vallabh said there was a “sense of fret and discomfort” amongst the top BJP leaders with the “love, affection and support” that former Congress president Rahul Gandhi received from people during the Kanyakumari to Kashmir yatra that started on September 7.

“The entire government machinery has been put up against one man trying to correct what the BJP government has destroyed in the last eight years,” Vallabh told a press conference.

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He was referring to the multiple misleading quotes—Union minister Smriti Irani “twisting the facts” to claim that Rahul did not visit Vivekananda Memorial in Kanyakumari; BJP’s IT cell head Amit Malviya’s saying that Rahul did not make a single public speech; and a “most insensitive, toxic, degenerate comment” by CTR Nirmal Kumar on Twitter.

“The more dangerous fact is that while they have been on a ‘Bharat Todo Yatra’ (Divide India Yatra) since 2014, they are resorting to niggling tricks, blatant lies, and misguiding the people against the people with pious intentions of Bharat Jodo (Unite India),” Vallabh said.

He also said the comments made around the containers and clothes only show the annoyance at the success of the Bharat Jodo Yatra. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s fear is reflected in the actions and speeches of BJP leaders. The BJP is rattled,” Vallabh said.

“When they couldn’t find a flaw against the intention and the execution of the yatra, senior leaders and cabinet ministers have stooped as low as resorting to twisting facts and spreading blatant lies. Some leaders have even let go of all ethical values,” he said.

He asked when will Modi come out and apologise to Gandhi, and the nation, for the “insensitive and toxic comments” made by Nirmal Kumar.

“While BJP is persistent in resorting to lies on Rahul-ji’s communication, when will Modi-ji finally muster the courage to confront the press in a press conference. Where is the Minister of Women and Child Development hiding, and why is she silent on the comments made by Nirmal Kumar? Is she busy concocting stories and twisting facts?” Vallabh asked.