Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said the Congress had contributed significantly to establishing democracy in India and argued that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s position as the country’s leader was linked to the party’s contribution to Indian democracy and political leadership.
Shivakumar was responding to Modi’s recent criticism of the Congress and its attempts to establish Rahul Gandhi as a prominent national leader. The exchange has intensified the political sparring between the ruling Congress in Karnataka and the BJP at the national level.
“Congress has a long history. Even the PM knows that without Congress, this country wouldn’t have seen democracy. This is a party which has given democracy. If at all he is the PM today, it is due to the Congress Party’s contribution to India’s leadership and democracy,” Shivakumar told reporters.
Emphasising the importance of acknowledging historical contributions, he added, “One should not forget the root. If you forget the root, you will not get the fruit.”
Shivakumar responds to Modi’s criticism of Rahul Gandhi
The remarks followed Modi’s criticism of the Congress on Thursday, when he said that while the world was searching for a “new order”, some people were dreaming of “disorder” in India.
In a pointed reference to Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Modi compared the Congress’s repeated attempts to promote its leader with the number of rockets India launches from Sriharikota in a year. His remarks questioned the party’s efforts to establish Gandhi’s leadership.
The comments drew a response from Shivakumar, who defended Gandhi and rejected the BJP’s criticism of his political activities and overseas visits.
Congress defends Rahul Gandhi’s foreign visits
The BJP has criticised Gandhi’s frequent foreign trips and alleged that he returns from these visits and attempts to destabilise the government. Shivakumar countered the allegations by saying Gandhi travelled abroad at the invitation of political leaders, business leaders and universities.
“He is a leader. Many foreign political leaders, business leaders and universities request him. He is a leader whom the entire world is looking at,” Shivakumar said, according to PTI.
His response sought to portray Gandhi’s international engagements as invitations extended by influential political, business and academic circles rather than as activities warranting the BJP’s criticism.
Congress-BJP political exchange continues
The remarks come amid an ongoing exchange between the Congress and the BJP over Gandhi’s leadership, his overseas engagements and the Congress’s attempts to strengthen his position in national politics.
Modi’s comments questioned the Congress’s efforts to promote Gandhi, while Shivakumar defended both the party’s historical role and the Congress leader’s standing among international political and business circles.
The latest exchange reflects the continuing political contest between the two parties over leadership, democratic history and the Congress’s role in national politics.