'Irresponsible, full of lies': BJP targets Rahul Gandhi over Lok Sabha speech

Top ministers and BJP leaders launched a full-scale assault on Rahul Gandhi following his impassioned speech in the Lok Sabha. During a press conference, Union ministers accused Gandhi of disseminating falsehoods regarding the Agniveer scheme and Ayodhya land compensation. They further criticized Gandhi's comments on Hindus, alleging that they revealed the Congress party's mindset. The BJP leaders also Rahul over his Hindus remark, accusing him of spreading lies and hatred towards Hindus. Rahul, in his address, stated that those identifying as Hindus are continuously involved in "violence and hate."

NEW DELHI: The top ministers and BJP leader opened an all-out attack against Rahul Gandhi after his fiery speech in the Lok Sabha. The Union ministers in a press conference accused Rahul Gandhi of spreading lies about the Agniveer scheme and Ayodhya land compensation. They also said Gandhi's remarks on the Hindus "exposed the mentality of Congress". Calling Rahul's Agniveer remark an "irresponsible statement", Vaishnaw said, "He said that no compensation is given to the martyrs, there can be no bigger lie than this. Today, when he was giving his speech, the defence minister clarified in the House itself that the martyrs get a compensation of Rs 1 crore. He should look at his facts," he said. "Today Rahul Gandhi has called the entire Hindu society violent and untruthful. He has insulted the Hindu society and this is not the first time, this is the old method of Congress. In 2010, the then Home Minister P Chidambaram had called Hindus terrorists ... Rahul Gandhi has today lowered the dignity of the post of Leader of the Opposition. The whole country is saddened by this statement of Rahul Gandhi and no amount of condemnation of this statement is enough. Calling Hindus violent, calling Hindus liars, putting up pictures of God during parliamentary debate, adding politics to it, this level of debate does not suit the leader of the opposition in any way," the railways minister said. Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju also mentioned that they have met the Speaker in this regard. "We have requested the Speaker to pass a direction that if we have made an unverified statement, we are ready to take a corrective course. But if the Leader of Opposition has lied in the House, he will have to face the rules and regulations of the House. He (Speaker) has already assured the House that he will give necessary and appropriate directions in this regard," Rijiju said. The BJP leaders also Rahul over his Hindus remark, accusing him of spreading lies and hatred towards Hindus. Rahul, in his address, stated that those identifying as Hindus are continuously involved in "violence and hate." Calling it the "worst show", BJP national president JP Nadda said, "Lies + Hindu hatred = Rahul Gandhi Ji in Parliament." "Third Time Fail LoP has a knack for agitated, flawed logic. His speech today has shown that neither has he understood the mandate of 2024 (his third successive loss) nor does he have any humility", he added in a post on X. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath also hit out at Rahul asking for his apology. "... Rahul Gandhi's statement on Hindus is beyond the truth...He should apologise to the people of the country... I condemn this statement and also ask the Congress party to ask him to apologise," the CM said. Terming it a "good standup comedian act", BJP MP and actor-politician Kangana Ranaut said, "I have said, Rahul Gandhi did a good standup comedian act because he made all our gods and goddesses, brand ambassadors of Congress." "He said that the hand raised by Lord Shiva in blessing is the hands of Congress, these are his statements, this was his speech, so we were already laughing...I think he should apologize for his statements," she added. Coming out in support of Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi said, "He cannot insult Hindus. He said it very clearly. He talked about the BJP, he talked about BJP leaders."