Smriti Irani on Rahul Gandhi's ‘ticket to Bastille day’ remark: ‘A frustrated dynast who…’
Rahul Gandhi. On Saturday Gandhi took to the microblogging site saying "Manipur burns. EU Parliament discusses India’s internal matter.
PM hasn’t said a word on either! Meanwhile, Rafale gets him a ticket to the Bastille Day Parade." Rahul Gandhi criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "silence" on Manipur violence. The Congress leader was talking about the ethnic violence that has ripped the north eastern state of Manipur since May. The violence took lives of many in the state, refuses to die down. PM Modi arrived in France on Thursday.
He attended the Bastille Day Parade as the 'guest of honour', on Friday. The Prime Minister was also conferred with the highest French honour by French President, Emmanuel Macron. Rahul Gandhi's comment on Rafale comes at a time when the Defence Ministry declared its plan to acquire an additional 26 Rafale fighter jets for deployment on its newly built aircraft carrier. In addition, the ministry also intends to procure three more Scorpene-class submarines.
This deal is anticipated to have a significant value in the range of billions of euros. The Congress party has been demanding a response from the Prime Minister regarding the situation in Manipur. The state has been experiencing ethnic violence since May 3, resulting in loss of lives and property.
India on Thursday described as a reflection of a "colonial mindset" a resolution adopted at the European Parliament on the situation in Manipur. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said such interference in India's internal affairs is "unacceptable". Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, who has been attacking the government over its handling of the situation in Manipur, also slammed the Centre.
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