Rahul Gandhi Jets to Vietnam to Ring in New Year Amid 7 Day National Mourning for Manmohan Singh: BJP

New Delhi: The BJP has alleged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has gone to Vietnam to celebrate the New Year during the seven-day national mourning period announced for former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away on December 26 at AIIMS Delhi.  

"While the country mourns the loss of Dr. Manmohan Singh, Rahul Gandhi has flown to Vietnam to ring in the New Year," BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya said in a post. He accused Rahul of politicising Singh's death for personal gains while showing “contempt” for the late leader.  

Malviya went further, alleging that Congress and the Gandhi family hold hatred against Sikhs. “The Gandhis and the Congress hate Sikhs. Never forget that Indira Gandhi desecrated the Darbar Sahib,” he added, referring to Operation Blue Star in 1984. 

It is important to note that Dr. Manmohan Singh, the first Sikh Prime Minister of India, served the nation as a leader from the Congress Party.

BJP and Congress Clash over Manmohan Singh’s memorial  

The BJP and Congress have also locked horns over the arrangements for Manmohan Singh's last rites. BJP president J.P. Nadda on Saturday stated that the central government had allocated space for a memorial for Singh and informed his family. He accused Congress of spreading "lies" and engaging in "cheap politics" over the issue.  

“The Congress is deliberately creating a controversy over Dr. Singh’s cremation at Nigambodh Ghat, despite the government’s efforts to ensure due respect for the former Prime Minister,” Nadda said.  

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday accused the Congress of attempting to trigger a controversy over the party veteran's last rites. He also alleged that congress has habit of disregarding their own leaders.  

He alleged that the grand-old party was trying to trigger a row over ex-PM's cremation despite the Central govt's announcement of a “fitting memorial” to honour his legacy.

Sarma said it was not the first time that the Congress has "shown such disregard – be it towards the legacy of Narasimha Rao or Pranab Mukherjee, the party has, unfortunately, treated its own with indifference”.

The CM’s remarks came after the Congress accused the Centre of insulting Singh, the country's first Sikh prime minister, by performing his last rites at Nigambodh Ghat instead of a designated spot that could be turned into his memorial.

Congress, however, hit back, alleging mishandling by the BJP-led central government. AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal claimed that the Centre had a ‘hidden agenda’ in not identifying a suitable location for Singh’s cremation where a memorial could later be built.  

"It is standard practice to set up memorials at the site of last rites for leaders of such stature. The central government’s approach has been disrespectful and raises questions about their intentions," Venugopal said.