The upcoming visit to Germany by Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, has ignited a fresh round of political contention, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) deriding him as the “leader of Paryatan” (tourism). In response, the Congress party questioned why the BJP is focusing on Gandhi’s trip when Prime Minister Narendra Modi “spends almost half his working time abroad.”
Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to visit Germany from December 15 to 20, where he will connect with the Indian diaspora and meet with German ministers, as stated by the Indian Overseas Congress.
Balwinder Singh, president of the Indian Overseas Congress in Germany, noted that Gandhi will be accompanied by Sam Pitroda, Chairperson of the Indian Overseas Congress, during the five-day visit.
The BJP poked fun at Gandhi’s planned trip, claiming that his title as LoP could be interpreted as “leader of Paryatan.” BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticized Gandhi for choosing to travel abroad while Parliament is in session until December 19, saying, “Once again, Videsh Nayak (foreigner) is doing what he does best! Going for a foreign tour!”
This visit coincides with the Winter Session of Parliament, which began on December 1 and is set to end on December 19. The BJP’s remarks included references to Gandhi’s previous foreign travels, particularly during the Bihar elections when he was reportedly away and then went on a jungle safari.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra reacted vigorously to the BJP’s criticisms, questioning why they are targeting the LoP while Modi spends a significant amount of his time abroad. She stated, “Modi ji spends almost half of his working time outside the country… Why are they raising questions on the leader of the opposition traveling?”
The Congress also criticized Modi’s overseas travels, stating that many trips coincided with parliamentary sessions or critical times for the country. A series of posts under the caption “Sansad Chale Desh Mein, Modi Chale Videsh Mein” highlighted this point on the Congress’s official social media.
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate asserted that Modi has undertaken 94 international visits, with approximately 85 percent occurring during parliamentary sessions. She detailed specific instances, including trips to Nepal, Seychelles, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka that coincided with key legislative meetings.
Furthermore, Shrinate referenced Modi’s actions during the Pulwama attack in February 2019, suggesting he was engaged in documentary filming despite the tragedy unfolding.
In response, the BJP maintained that comparisons between the Prime Minister’s official trips and Gandhi’s travels are unfounded. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi emphasized the distinction between the Prime Minister’s “official foreign visits” and Gandhi’s alleged “foreign visits on vacation,” asking, “What actually happens during such foreign visits?”
BJP national spokesperson Tuhin Sinha further criticized Gandhi’s travel pattern, claiming that the details of his trips are rarely disclosed, and reiterating that he should prioritize his presence during significant legislative sessions. Sinha labeled Gandhi as the “leader of paryatan” and “leader of partying,” arguing that he disregards essential responsibilities while abroad.
