NEW DELHI: Amit Malviya, a leader from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), criticized the Opposition leader in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday, branding his recent visit to Punjab as mere “drama.”
In a post on social media platform X, Malviya remarked, “After yet another secret holiday in Malaysia’s Langkawi, Rahul Gandhi landed in Punjab, a state Congress lost to AAP, to stage yet another drama.” He characterized Gandhi’s visit as a pretext for “meeting flood victims,” while arguing that the reality involved the Congress leader throwing tantrums at Punjab Police and insisting on traversing dangerous areas despite acknowledged security risks.
This critique followed allegations from Congress that the Punjab Police had prevented Gandhi from visiting flood-affected areas along the Ravi River in Gurdaspur district. During his visit to Punjab, Gandhi aimed to meet those impacted by flooding in Amritsar and Gurdaspur, specifically visiting Ghonewal village and Gurchak village.
Malviya added, “A responsible leader would have consoled victims, supported rescue efforts, and strengthened administration. Instead, Rahul Gandhi chose to disrupt, distract, and destabilize. Irresponsibility at its peak.”
Congress leaders stated that Gandhi was barred from accessing Toor, a border village across the Ravi River in Gurdaspur, with Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring attributing the police’s action to security concerns. A video surfaced showing Gandhi questioning police officials on the ban, asking, “You are telling me that you cannot keep me safe on Indian territory?”
A Punjab Police officer responded affirmatively, claiming they were prepared for his protection. Gandhi continued to press, “But you are saying that is India,” pointing toward the village across the river. He further questioned the implication that the Leader of Opposition could not be safeguarded within Indian territory.
Following this incident, former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi also criticized the Punjab government for preventing Gandhi’s visit to the village across the river, stating, “Our own people stay there. He wanted to inquire about their well-being. It is unfortunate that he was not allowed to meet people.”
