Congress defends Rahul Gandhi's Italy visit

After BJP lambasted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for going to Italy on a personal visit, the party has defended the latter stating that the BJP should focus on other issues happening in the country rather than criticising the opposition.

New Delhi: Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi's visit to abroad just a day before the party's 136th foundation day has invited criticism from his political rivals. Party's general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala came out in his support saying that the attack from opposition is baseless.

Defending Rahul Gandhi, Surjewala, who is also the chief spokesperson for Congress, said, "There is no meaning of attacking him as he is no longer the party's president and he performs all his duties as a 'Congress worker'.

While addressing the media, Surjewala said, "Rahul Gandhi is not the President of Congress party. Sonia Gandhi ji holds that position. Rahul Gandhi performs all of his duties as the party worker. If a family member falls ill, what is wrong in visiting him/her? Rahul Gandhi has gone for a short personal visit to meet someone who is critically ill."

"He is not on a holiday or a foreign trip. He has gone to meet his grandmother and I don't think BJP should be having any problem with that," he further added.

On Sunday, Congress informed that Rahul Gandhi has left for abroad for a short personal visit and will be away for a few days. Reports suggest that Gandhi has gone to Milan, Italy, where his grandmother lives.Slamming the Central Government over the issue of farm laws, Surjewala said, "Why Prime Minister of India rather be focused on the welfare of farmers than criticizing the opposition? Rather than attacking the opposition, why can't the Union Ministers go to the Delhi borders, which is merely 20 kms away to talk to the farmers? Today, there is just one issue in this country, and that is the farmers demands."

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He even compared the BJP's governance with the rule of East India Company, while demanding the Government to talk to the protesting farmers and take back these farm laws as soon as possible.

Congress has marked its 136th Foundation Day, on Monday. The occasion was being celebrated at All India Congress Committee headquarters in New Delhi. Congress President Sonia Gandhi also remained absent from the key event. Senior party leader AK Antony hoisted the flag on the occasion. Among the Gandhis, only Priyanka Gandhi Vadra attended the event.

As the party has begun it's electoral process to get a new party president, demands have also been raised to put forward the name of Priyanka Gandhi to lead the party.

When asked about the matter, Surjewala said, "We are not like BJP, where 2 people take all the decisions. Here in Congress, we have our organizational elections to choose the party President. Central Election Authority, led by Madhusudan Mistry, is preparing to conduct polls within the party. Once the process is completed, he will invite nominations. Anyone can give his/her name for the party president. That day everything will be cleared."

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