Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi held discussions with a delegation of US lawmakers in Washington on Tuesday. The delegation included Ilhan Omar, known for her critical stance on India.
The meeting sparked criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and a quick retort from Congress. Responding to the BJP’s criticism, Congress leader Pawan Khera told India Today TV that Omar was part of the US delegation that met Gandhi.
“BJP leaders heard the name of Ilan Omar for the first time today. She’s a Congresswoman and came as part of the delegation,” he said.
Ilhan Omar had introduced anti-India resolutions in the US Congress and she has been a vocal critic of the abrogation of Art 370.
Launching the BJP tirade against Gandhi’s engagements in the US, Union Home Minister Amit Shah sharply criticised the Congress leader for allegedly supporting divisive forces and making harmful statements about India.
Shah contended that Gandhi’s actions, both domestically and internationally, were detrimental to India’s unity and security.
“Standing with forces that conspire to divide the country and making anti-national statements have become a habit for Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party. Whether it is supporting the JKNC’s anti-national and anti-reservation agenda in J&K or making anti-India statements on foreign platforms, Rahul Gandhi has always threatened the nation’s security and hurt sentiments,” Shah said in a post on X.
At a press conference here on Wednesday, Rajya Sabha MP and BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said, “Rahul Gandhi is known for spewing anti-India venom, but what he has done this time is concerning. He became the first Leader of the Opposition to meet US MP Ilan, who is infamous for taking an anti-India stand.”
Gandhi, on a three-day visit to the United States, engaged with the Indian community, students, and lawmakers. His trip began with meetings at the Rayburn House Office Building, hosted by Congressman Bradley James Sherman. Among the attendees were US Congress members Jonathan Jackson, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Barbara Lee, Shri Thanedar, Jesus G. “Chuy” Garcia, Ilhan Omar, Hank Johnson, and Jan Schakowsky. — With inputs from IANS
