Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday articulated astonishment and bewilderment at the Pakistani accolades for a select few Indian dignitaries (Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal) amidst the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, emphasizing that Indian electorate possesses the sagacity to discern their stratagems.
In an exclusive discourse with IANS, PM Modi underscored that India’s electorate is discerning and cannot be swayed by extraneous influences. Addressing inquiries regarding Pakistani political figures’ endorsement of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal during the election period, PM Modi remarked, “I fail to comprehend why a particular cohort of individuals, seemingly those who bear enmity towards us, receive commendations from Pakistan, why expressions of support arise from there for specific figures.”
He further asserted that India is a seasoned democracy, endowed with profound and time-honored electoral norms and customs. Such ‘provocation’ is a serious matter warranting comprehensive scrutiny. Significantly, both Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal were extolled by Pakistani politician Fawad Chaudhry this month, ostensibly for their censure of the Modi administration.
On May 1, Fawad Chaudhry, a former minister in the ex-Pakistan PM Imran Khan’s cabinet, posted on X, “Rahul on fire,” while tagging a video where the Wayanad MP was critiquing the BJP, specifically targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This elicited vehement responses from the BJP, which labeled it a conspicuous instance of ‘Congress fraternizing with Pakistan.’
On May 25, the same Pakistani politician responded to an X post by Arvind Kejriwal with a message, “May peace and harmony defeat forces of hate and extremism. #MorePower#IndiaElections2024.” This, however, was met with stern repudiation from the AAP chief himself, who vehemently decried the interference, asserting that India will not abide by meddling from the principal patrons of terrorism in its domestic affairs.
