Penguin was 'uneasy' with criticism of govt: Sonia Gandhi's 1st reaction to memoir row

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticized Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi for her remarks on India's progress and previous government policies. In an interview with The Hindu, Gandhi expressed concern over the damage done to India's democratic fabric and institutions under the BJP-NDA rule over the past 12 years. She acknowledged the challenges ahead in restoring the country's systems even after the Modi government's tenure ends.

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Chugh accused Sonia Gandhi of using Italian lenses to view India and advised her to recognize the nation's growth under the current administration. Chugh also criticized the Congress party for employing caste, religion, and vote-bank politics to divide the country. He questioned Gandhi's memoir, "Belonging: A Journey of Love," and inquired about her stance on the alleged scams that occurred during the Congress' rule, the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, and the Bhopal gas tragedy.

The BJP targeted Gandhi's comments on the Emergency period imposed by the previous Indira Gandhi-led government in 1975, claiming that she had shed tears over the Batla House encounter without addressing the deaths of Indian soldiers. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari further accused Sonia Gandhi of shedding tears for Babri and Batla House, alleging that her pro-Babar, anti-Bhagwan Ram stance demonstrates her allegiance to vote bank politics.