Rahul Gandhi’s BRICS menu post triggers backlash from BJP leaders; SP supports LoP's views

New Delhi: BJP leaders have reacted to Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi’s recent posts on the BRICS Summit, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis saying the Congress leader was unable to appreciate the country’s diplomatic achievements. However, the SP stressed the need to respect India’s diverse food traditions.

Reacting to LoP Gandhi’s posts on the BRICS dinner menu, Fadnavis said the Congress leader appeared to be unable to appreciate the country’s diplomatic achievements.

“I believe that when someone is narrow-minded and feels hurt even by their own country’s success, they make such statements,” Fadnavis claimed.

The Maharashtra Chief Minister said the unanimous adoption of the Delhi Declaration was among the biggest achievements of the BRICS Summit, pointing out that China, Russia and other member countries had signed the declaration.

“The biggest success of BRICS is that the Delhi Declaration was issued unanimously, with China, Russia and all other members signing it,” he said.s“The Global South strongly welcomed the declaration that directly condemned Pakistan and terrorism. There cannot be a greater strategic or diplomatic victory than this,” he added.

After an all-vegetarian meal was served at the BRICS Summit dinner in New Delhi, LoP Gandhi sought to highlight India’s dietary diversity, saying that a large majority of Indians eat non-vegetarian food.

“For the record: 80% of Indians are non-vegetarian. Indian non-vegetarian food is delicious. As are my sister’s chole bhature,” Gandhi wrote on his social media handles. He also shared a picture of chole bhature on a dining table.

In Madhya Pradesh, Minister Vishwas Sarang also criticised LoP Gandhi over his post concerning the BRICS dinner menu, saying the he should rise above partisan politics when commenting on an international event.

"He is the Leader of the Opposition in the world's largest democracy. When an international event is being held, we should rise above party politics and express our views,” Sarang said.

He said Gandhi should focus on the substantive issues discussed at the summit rather than the food served at the dinner.

“He should talk about the issues discussed at the BRICS Summit, but he is talking about the food menu. I wonder who his advisers are and when he will understand...” Sarang said.

Meanwhile, SP MP Awadhesh Prasad took a different view, stressing the need to respect India’s diverse food traditions.

“All kinds of food should be respected. Our country is a large and diverse nation with different types of attire and different kinds of food. We should respect all kinds of food. Our traditions and beliefs should also be preserved,” Prasad said.

The reactions came amid a political debate over LoP Gandhi’s remarks following the BRICS dinner, with leaders offering sharply contrasting views on whether the focus should be on the menu or the broader diplomatic outcomes of the summit.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

IANS

[email protected]