BJP terms voice of dissent as 'conspiracy': Congress

Congress and BJP were engaged in a war of words after the latter slammed the former over the burning of PM Modi's effigy in Punjab. Congress spokesperson Gourav Vallabh said that BJP terms voice of dissent as 'conspiracy'.

New Delhi: Congress on Monday alleged that Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) tries to suppress the voice of disagreement by terming it a 'conspiracy' of the opposition. party. The party's reaction came after BJP National President Jay Prakash Nadda slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the burning of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's effigy in Punjab.

While addressing the media, Congress spokesperson Gourav Vallabh said, "Whoever opposes you, firstly you call him a 'terrorist'. If that doesn't cling to him, then you give him a tag of 'anti-nationalist'. If even that doesn't work, then you call it a conspiracy of Congress party."

"There is no conspiracy in this matter. Punjab's farmer is angry because their Minimum Support Price (MSP) is under threat. Meet them, talk to them. They just want an assurance from Prime Minister that the clause of MSP should be mentioned in the farm laws," he further added.

Earlier today, JP Nadda slammed Rahul Gandhi on Twitter, saying, "The Rahul Gandhi-directed drama of burning PM's effigy in Punjab is shameful but not unexpected. After all, the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty has never respected the office of PM. This was seen in the institutional weakening of the PM's authority during the UPA years of 2004-2014."

Congress party has repeatedly opposed the ruling saffron party over recently passed farm laws. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, today, even shared a news article on Twitter which stated that Punjab Farmers have burnt an effigy of PM Modi on the occasion of Dussehra.

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"These farmers are just demanding that PM should give assurance in writing that if any person or industrialist will buy paddy or any other crop at an amount less than the MSP then he would be imprisoned. If you'll hear his conscience, then you'll never say that it's a conspiracy of Congress party," said Gourav Vallabh.

Congress has even accused the BJP-led Central Government of 'hollowing' the Indian democracy by 'suppressing' the fundamental right to freedom of expression in the country. Congress President Sonia Gandhi had written an editorial piece, on Monday, stating that the Modi Government is also 'misusing' various agencies like NIA, ED, CBI, to target the opposition.

Speaking over the matter, Gourav Vallabh said, "The rights of citizens as per the constitution of India are not going to end if he is not voting for the ruling party. Citizens' right to dissent will always be there. Democracy gives equal right to everyone, whether his vote in favour of the ruling party or against the ruling party."

"You register FIRs Against The Economist who asked tough questions for the economy about the social sector activities against the students women of our country who so ever is asking tough questions. All agencies- ED, CBI, Income Tax, NIA, are behind them, which is not the spirit of democracy," he further added.

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