NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) escalated its criticism of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday, urging him to clarify the purpose of his recent overseas trip. The party accused both Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of neglecting their constituency following a tragic landslide in Kerala’s Wayanad, which claimed the lives of eight individuals.
The landslide occurred on July 7 at the site of the Anakkampoyil-Meppadi twin-tube tunnel project, intended to link Wayanad and Kozhikode districts.
BJP IT department chief Amit Malviya spearheaded the new round of criticisms, highlighting the ambiguity surrounding Rahul Gandhi’s travels between June 22 and July 13. In a post on X, Malviya questioned, “Where did he go? Who did he meet? Who sponsored his travel and stay?” He emphasized that the public deserves to know if his international engagements were relevant to India’s political or strategic interests.
Missing in Action?
Malviya’s posts continued to express concern over Rahul Gandhi’s prolonged absence from India, asking, “Does anyone know where Rahul Gandhi is? Which country is he holidaying in? Who is he with?” He lamented that this extended absence raises doubts about the Congress leader’s commitment to his responsibilities.
The BJP further criticized the lack of engagement from Rahul and Priyanka in Wayanad following the landslide. National spokesperson Guru Prakash described the visuals from the affected area as “horrifying and deeply disturbing.” He pointed out that, despite the Congress government in Kerala, neither Rahul nor Priyanka had visited the impacted location.
Calls for Accountability
BJP spokesperson C R Kesavan accused Priyanka Gandhi of completely ignoring the plight of Wayanad residents. “It has been six days since the devastating landslide, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has not even bothered to visit the constituency to meet the grieving families of the victims. Instead, she has only made a token tweet,” he stated.
Sinha also criticized the leaders for merely existing as “political tourists,” noting their absence during a crisis as reflective of their part-time political engagement.
Moreover, BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain remarked that Rahul Gandhi appears more occupied with his vacations than addressing the urgent needs of his constituents. Earlier on Sunday, Tuhin Sinha echoed similar sentiments, stating that the two leaders had not shown any sincerity in reaching out to the families affected by the disaster.
Impact on Political Engagement
Rahul Gandhi’s absence is also tied to the postponement of the Congress’ proposed student outreach initiative, “Chhatron Ki Goonj.” Scheduled events in Prayagraj, Patna, and Delhi have been deferred, allegedly due to Rahul’s extended foreign trip, which could reportedly see him returning only around July 17.
The Congress party has yet to officially disclose the reasons behind Rahul’s travels. Sinha mentioned that his absence becomes particularly concerning with the Monsoon Session of Parliament set to commence on July 20, further implying a lack of readiness to engage with pressing legislative matters.
Earlier, Amit Malviya raised similar questions about Rahul Gandhi’s commitment to his duties, citing multiple instances of his absences during critical political engagements. As the monsoon session approaches, the BJP has amplified its scrutiny, especially as the Congress navigates internal challenges in states like Punjab.
