BJP Slams Rahul Gandhi as He Meets Bereaved Socialist Leader's Kin
Rahul Gandhi has faced constant criticism from the federally governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), starting from his political comments and actions to his looks and outfit.
SputnikThe BJP on Friday took a dig at Congress parliamentarian Rahul Gandhi after videos of him meeting with the kin of former federal minister and socialist leader Sharad Yadav surfaced online.
Gandhi visited the family after Yadav, a prominent leader from Bihar who was elected to the lower house seven times and the upper house three times, breathed his last after falling at home on Thursday.
Yadav passed away Thursday night at Fortis Memorial Research Institute. The 75-year-old Janata Dal leader had been ailing for a long time.
'Tapasvi' Behavior in Question
In a clip shared by the BJP, the Gandhi scion could be seen smiling while interacting with the bereaved family members of Yadav, which wasn't welcomed by the governing party.
Questioning his attitude, the BJP's national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala tweeted, "Rahul Gandhi smiling while Sharad Yadav’s family is in tears - certainly not how a Tapasvi (ascetic) would behave."
"Sensitivity demands one acts maturely but then in 2018 Rahul was laughing during Dharam Singh's condolence meet; was busy in phone during Pulwama Shraddhanjali. Some tapasvi!" the BJP politician added.
Poonawala's "tapasvi" reference was in the context of Gandhi's recent remarks made during his ongoing Unity March, which is now passing through the northern Indian state of Punjab.
Calling himself a "tapasvi," Gandhi said that India was a nation of ascetics in which people are known for their selfless service to society, but claimed PM Modi and the BJP were forcing citizens to worship them and that's why he was leading a march to bring about change in the country.
What is Sharad Yadav Famous For?
A statement released by the hospital said that Yadav had been brought to the facility in an unconscious state after falling at his Delhi home. Despite their best efforts, the doctors failed to revive him.
Yadav served as a key minister in the BJP and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Cabinet in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and was a key face of the anti-Congress block during the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, when the grand old party was the dominant force in Indian politics.
After the BJP became the powerhouse of India's polity under the leadership of PM Modi in 2014, Yadav shifted his allegiance to the opposition camp. Since 2018, he had been a member of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (2018), the main component of Bihar's current governing alliance.
As news of his death trickled in, tributes from several politicians, cutting across party lines started coming in.
"Pained by the passing away of Shri Sharad Yadav Ji. In his long years in public life, he distinguished himself as MP and Minister. He was greatly inspired by Dr. Lohia's ideals. I will always cherish our interactions. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti," PM Narendra Modi tweeted.
Bihar's deputy state chief and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav also tweeted his condolences.
"I am saddened by the news of the untimely demise of Mandal Messiah, senior leader of RJD, great socialist leader and my guardian respected Sharad Yadav ji. I am unable to say anything. Had a conversation with mother and brother Shantanu. In this hour of grief, the entire Samajwadi family is with the family members," Tejaswi wrote on the microblogging platform.