‘Frustrated man’: Congress hits back at Kumaraswamy over ‘Italian blood’ jibe at Sonia Gandhi in Vande Mataram row

The Congress party has publicly criticized Union minister HD Kumaraswamy for his recent "Italian blood" remarks directed at Congress parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi. The Janata Dal (Secular) leader made the comments during a heated debate over the playing of "Vande Mataram" at the Congress headquarters during the Independence Day celebration. Kumaraswamy questioned Gandhi's loyalty to the nation, claiming that "Italian blood flows in her veins."

Kumaraswamy's latest attack on Gandhi has intensified the ongoing controversy surrounding the Independence Day events, which saw various incidents and gestures allegedly orchestrated by Congress leaders. The JD(S) second-in-command defended Gandhi, emphasizing that she is not originally from India, as her birthplace is Italy. He also dismissed the explanations provided by Congress leaders regarding the Vande Mataram gesture, stating that it is becoming increasingly difficult to deceive the public.

Responding to Kumaraswamy's comments, Congress leader Rizwan Arshad dismissed him as a "frustrated man." Arshad pointed out that Kumaraswamy should recognize that Sonia Gandhi is more Indian than many Indians, highlighting her husband's sacrifice for the nation's security and her mother-in-law, Indira Gandhi's, sacrifice for the unity of the country. Arshad accused Kumaraswamy of promoting a "dictator-type style of government" and suggested that his remarks undermine the Congress party's future prospects.