Synopsis
Pawan Khera challenges Mayawati's claims regarding Congress being the BJP's 'B-Team' and highlights the historical context of India's political stance against foreign interference.Key Takeaways
- Pawan Khera disputes Mayawati's allegations regarding Congress.
- Khera emphasizes Congress's historical governance in the region.
- Trump's comments on voter turnout funding are clarified.
- Khera questions the intelligence of PM Modi's government.
- A historical comparison is made with Indira Gandhi's leadership.
New Delhi, Feb 21 (NationPress) Congress leader Pawan Khera has strongly rejected the assertion made by Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Mayawati, who claimed that the Congress serves as the 'B-Team' for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
In a statement to IANS, Khera stated, “We governed here for 15 years, significantly longer than the BJP, which only held power for five years. It is our responsibility to regain our previous standing. To label us as the B-Team is utterly incorrect.”
Earlier that day, BSP head Mayawati urged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to reflect on himself before placing blame on others, particularly the BSP chief. She also accused the Congress of functioning as a 'B' team for the BJP in the Delhi Assembly elections, thus enabling it to take power.
In response to claims from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding a $21 million USAID grant intended for 'voter turnout' in India, Khera referenced a leading English newspaper that “clarified” the funds in question were actually designated for Bangladesh in 2022, not India.
While addressing an event in Miami, Trump remarked, “Why do we need to spend $21 million for voter turnout in India? Wow, $21 million! I guess they were trying to get somebody else elected.” He suggested that the Biden administration was attempting to meddle in India's elections through financial support.
Khera criticized Prime Minister Modi's administration, questioning its intelligence: “Now the reality behind this assertion has come to light. The Indian Express today disclosed that the funds were indeed sent to Bangladesh. We are asking: if we assume, for the sake of argument, that America was trying to destabilize the Indian government, then where was PM Modi? Was he asleep? Where was his intelligence? Where was Ajit Doval? Where was his so-called ‘Chanakya’ strategy? How did $21 million reach Bangladesh without their knowledge? They need to answer this.”
Khera also made a historical reference, noting former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s strong stance against American interference during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
“There was a time when Indira Gandhi confronted America during the Bangladesh War of 1971. And today, our Prime Minister doesn’t even recognize that America has allegedly spent $21 million to meddle in a neighboring country’s democracy. If the PM Modi government was oblivious, how can they falsely assert this money was sent to India?” Khera stated.
