Bhopal: Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chauhan, has responded to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's recent statements made in Texas and Dallas, USA. Chauhan criticised Gandhi for 'tarnishing' India's image abroad and accused him of betraying the country.
Chauhan said, "Rahul Gandhi is a representative of the country, and going outside India and tarnishing India's image is equal to betraying one's country. It seems that after losing elections three times, he is frustrated and is trying to express his frustration by damaging India's reputation, as he did in the US."
He added that when Indians travel abroad, they should represent India, not their political affiliations. "When we are in India, we are Congress or BJP; however, once we go out, we are representatives of India," Chauhan said. He shared his own experience during Dr. Manmohan Singh's tenure, where he was asked if the Indian Prime Minister was an 'underachiever'. Chauhan replied, "An Indian Prime Minister can never be an underachiever. He is the country's leader."
Chauhan also defended the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), stating, "The Sangh has created numerous personalities who have dedicated their lives to the nation's cause." He did, however, acknowledge a point Gandhi made, which was that "nobody is afraid of Modi." Chauhan added that while people may not fear Modi, they love him, which is why he was elected for a third term.
The Union Minister also praised the current administration for its achievements, stating, "It is under Modi's leadership that we have achieved major milestones. India has become the 5th largest economy, and soon we will be the third largest. Under Modi, India has made strides in indigenous production."
In response to Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra, Chauhan claimed that Gandhi failed to connect with the people of India. "Rahul Gandhi ji, with a small heart, can never be big," he said.
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao also weighed in, accusing Gandhi and the Congress party of consistently bringing disrepute to India on the global stage. Sao said, "Rahul Gandhi and Congress party always bring disrepute to India before the world. We saw this even during elections. He has been doing this continuously. The Gandhi family and Congress party can't stand the country's progress, prestige, and pride."
Sao further criticised the Congress party for its historical attacks on the Indian Constitution, stating, "People of the country know very well who has a history of attacking the Constitution of India. Congress party and Congress governments, Rahul Gandhi's ancestors have attacked the Constitution numerous times - he should remember this."
On Sunday, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi discussed unemployment issues while visiting Dallas, Texas. He criticised India for focusing on consumption rather than production, he said, "The act of production creates jobs. What we do, what the Americans do, what the West does, is we organise consumption." Rahul Gandhi compared the current global production landscape to past decades, noting that while countries like China now dominate production, the West, including India, has shifted focus away from it.
Rahul Gandhi also addressed ideological differences with the RSS, saying, "The RSS believes that India is one idea and we believe that India is a multiplicity of ideas." He added that Congress supports inclusion and diversity, while accusing the Prime Minister of attacking the Indian Constitution. Gandhi was welcomed in Dallas by Sam Pitroda and members of the Indian diaspora.
—ANI