Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, criticizing his remarks on the Indian government’s policies regarding China. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Sitharaman stated that Rahul Gandhi should be ashamed of his comments and accused him of disregarding the statements made by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the issue.
Sitharaman’s statement came in response to Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of the government’s handling of relations with China. She highlighted that while Rahul Gandhi receives briefings from the Chinese Ambassador, he fails to pay attention to the views expressed by India’s External Affairs Minister. Sitharaman’s remarks echoed a previous statement made by Jaishankar, who had referred to Rahul Gandhi’s meeting with the Chinese ambassador during the Doklam crisis and accused him of taking lessons on China from the Chinese themselves.
Taking a swipe at the Congress party, Sitharaman pointed out that whenever the External Affairs Minister addresses the issue of China in parliament, Congress leaders either walk out or disrupt his speech. She condemned Rahul Gandhi for denouncing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and questioned the undisclosed agreement he had allegedly signed with the Chinese.
Sitharaman emphasized that neither the public nor the government is aware of the details of Rahul Gandhi’s agreement with the Chinese. She urged journalists to ask him about the specifics of the agreement and called for transparency in the matter.
Shifting the focus to the broader political landscape, Sitharaman expressed concern over the growing culture of freebies in politics. She stressed the importance of discussing and debating the issue, stating that the necessity and politics surrounding the distribution of freebies should be thoroughly examined. Sitharaman cautioned against the selective approach of labeling certain freebies as right or wrong, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive discourse on the matter.
Sitharaman’s remarks reflect the ongoing political tensions between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government and the Congress party. The exchange highlights differing perspectives on the government’s approach to China and raises questions about transparency in political agreements. As political discourse continues, the issue of freebies in politics remains a topic of contention, with Sitharaman calling for a more comprehensive examination of the subject.
