Rahul Gandhi attacks PM Modi on LAC standoff; BJP accuses him of indulging in mudslinging

Targeting the Prime Minister for saying that China is not occupying any Indian territory in Ladakh, the Congress leader said Modi is defending his image by saying so.

"It is not simply a border issue. It is a border issue designed to put pressure on the Prime Minister of India. And they are thinking of putting pressure in a very particular way. And what they are doing, is that they are attacking his image.

"They understand that in order for Mr Narendra Modi to be an effective politician; in order for Mr Narendra Modi to survive as a politician, he has to protect the idea of 'Chhapan Inch'. And this is the real idea, the Chinese are attacking," Gandhi said in a short video while explaining his views on China's strategic and tactical game plan.

The former Congress president said the Chinese are basically telling Modi that if he does not do what they say, they will destroy "the idea of Mr Narendra Modi as a strong leader".

Nadda slammed the Congress leader's remarks , saying, "We saw yet another (failed) edition of 'Project RG Relaunch' today. Rahul Gandhi Ji was, as usual, weak on facts and strong on mudslinging. Attempts to politicise defence and foreign policy matters shows one dynasty's desperation to wash their past sins of 1962 and weaken India."

"For years, one dynasty has been trying to destroy PM Narendra Modi. Sadly for them, PM Modi's connect with 130 crore Indians is deep-rooted. He lives and works for them. Those who want to destroy him will end up only further destroying their own party," he said in a series of tweets.

"In recent years, be it Doklam or the present, Rahul Gandhi Ji prefers briefings from the Chinese instead of believing India's armed forces. Why does one dynasty want a weak India and a strong China? Many leaders in Congress also disapprove of one dynasty's shenanigans!

"Since the 1950's, China has made strategic investments in one dynasty that has given them rich dividends. Remember 1962, giving away of a UNSC seat, losing a lot of land to China in the UPA years, MoU Signed with much fanfare in 2008, funds to RGF and more," said Nadda.

Countering Nadda's charge, Congress leader K C Venugopal said he should use his energy to answer the questions on China instead of targeting Rahul Gandhi.

"Naddaji, what you saw today is the truth which you've been known to shy away from. Use the energy with which you attack Rahulji, to answer these questions - 1. Why is the BJP afraid of openly condemning China for its actions? 2. What is the BJP Government doing to reclaim our land?".

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also retorted through a series of tweets saying instead of abusing the opposition, the BJP chief should start fighting the pandemic, the economic downturn and joblessness.

The video is part of a series launched by Gandhi to explain his views on key issues before the country.

The Congress leader has been critical of PM Modi and his government over the handling of the border issue with China in Ladakh and has even accused the prime minister of having "surrendered" Indian territory to China.

The former Congress chief said the Chinese don't do anything without thinking about it strategically. He said they have mapped the world in their thinking and they are trying to "shape the world" and "restructure the planet".

At the tactical level, Gandhi said the Chinese are trying to improve their position. "Whether it is Galwan, whether it's Demchok or whether it is Pangong Lake. The idea is to position themselves."

"They're disturbed by our highway, they want to make our highway redundant and if they are thinking on a larger scale, they want to do something with Pakistan in Kashmir," he also said in the video.