Prejudice Over Progress? BJP Slams Rahul Gandhi for Skipping BRICS Forum
BJP leader Jagdambika Pal claims Rahul Gandhi's absence from the BRICS Parliamentary Forum is driven by prejudice as he chose Lucknow over the global event.
The political temperature in New Delhi has risen following the absence of the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, from the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and MP Jagdambika Pal has launched a scathing attack on Gandhi, alleging that he was "driven by a certain prejudice" to skip the high-profile international gathering.
A 'Notable' Absence on a Global Stage
Speaking to ANI, Jagdambika Pal emphasized that the BRICS Parliamentary Forum is far from a partisan political event. He described it as a significant global conclave aimed at fostering development for people worldwide, involving delegations from 11 BRICS nations and 10 partner countries.
"This is not the first time this has happened; he has been absent from such conferences in the past as well," Pal remarked. "After all, the public elected him as an MP and a LoP—he ought to be present."
Pal further criticized the LoP's attendance record, claiming that Gandhi frequently avoids parliamentary sessions, noting that the previous session was a "complete washout."
Lucknow Over Global Diplomacy
While the international community gathered in the capital, Rahul Gandhi traveled to Lucknow and subsequently to Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The purpose of his visit was to attend court proceedings regarding a 2018 defamation case involving Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The case, which originated from remarks Gandhi made in Bengaluru six years ago, was ultimately dismissed by the Special MP/MLA court in Sultanpur.
Pal questioned why Gandhi chose to visit Lucknow instead of participating in a forum that highlights India's growing influence on the world stage, especially given the volatile global situation in countries like Iran, Italy, France, and Albania.
What was at Stake at the BRICS Forum?
The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, themed "Fostering Parliamentary Cooperation for People-Centric Development," focused on how legislative systems can drive human-centric growth. The agenda was divided into four critical areas, including:
- The promotion of global cooperation among member and partner nations.
- Exploring the ethical and beneficial leverage of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for humanity.
- Building upon the previous BRICS Delhi Declaration to advance global policy.
PM Modi Welcomes World Leaders
In stark contrast to the LoP's absence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the inauguration of the forum. He welcomed various foreign delegations at the Parliament complex, including Vyacheslav Volodin, the Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.
The event saw a warm reception for foreign dignitaries by Indian officials and MPs, underscoring India's role as a host for this pivotal diplomatic dialogue.