New Delhi: The Congress and the BJP after heated disputes last week over allegations that Rahul Gandhi injured two MPs and the George Soros-Sonia Gandhi controversy, clashed again on Thursday. This time, it was about accusations that the Congress showed a “distorted” map of India ahead of an event in Karnataka.
The BJP’s state unit shared an image of the alleged poster on X, criticising the Congress for showing “utter disrespect (to) India’s sovereignty… by portraying Kashmir as part of Pakistan.” The post further accused the Congress of doing so to “appease their vote bank,” calling it “shameful!”
The Congress responded to the accusations, accusing the BJP of lying and trying to undermine a “historic” meeting of the Congress Working Committee. The meeting, scheduled in Karnataka’s Belagavi over the next two days, commemorates the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi chairing a session of the committee, NDTV reported.
How the controversy began?
The controversy began with the BJP’s Karnataka unit’s post on X and was amplified by senior party leader Shehzad Poonawalla. He launched a sharp attack, saying the “distorted” map reflected the “Bharat todo, tukde-tukde” mindset of the Congress, reiterating his earlier criticisms of the party.
BJP strongly criticised with party leader Shehzad Poonawalla alleging that Rahul Gandhi stood with “Ilhan Omar who wants Kashmir to be part of Pakistan,” and that Sonia Gandhi was “co-president of an organisation that says Kashmir should be given to Pakistan.” Poonawalla’s remarks referenced the controversy over George Soros, which dominated recent Parliament sessions.
The BJP’s accusations stemmed from a report by French media outlet Mediapart, which said “hidden” links between the Soros-founded Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and the US government. The BJP alleged that Congress was collaborating with Soros and OCCRP to tarnish India’s image.
Poonawalla slams Congress
In a robust rebuttal, the Congress said, “We are patriots…” dismissing the allegations as baseless. Continuing his attack, Poonawalla said, “Singing to Pak’s tunes and handing over J&K to Pakistan has been the agenda of the Congress… and today that mindset has been exposed again.”
BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya also joined in, claiming, “It is part of the Congress’ appeasement politics, which believes Indian Muslims are more loyal to Pakistan … The Congress is the New Muslim League.” Apart from that, BJP leader CR Kesavan criticised the Congress’ plans to celebrate the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi chairing a Congress Working Committee session, labelling the event a “monumental mockery of the principles of Mahatma Gandhi.”
