'Democratic system under 'wholesale' attack', says Rahul; BJP hits back

NEW DELHI: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said there was currently a “wholesale attack on the democratic system” in India. He argued that India had to allow different traditions to thrive and “we cannot do what China does, which is to suppress people and run an authoritarian system”.

Rahul, who is on a four-nation tour of South America, was speaking at EIA University in Medellin, Colombia.

The MP said India had a much more complex system than China, and its strengths were different from that of the neighbouring country, reported PTI. “I am very optimistic about India, but at the same time, there are fault lines within the Indian structure, there are risks that India has to overcome. The single-biggest risk is the attack on democracy that is taking place in India,” he said, adding, “Different ideas, religions and traditions require space. The best method for creating that space is the democratic system .”

Rahul insulted India on foreign soil, says BJP

BJP Thursday lashed out at Rahul Gandhi for his remarks in Colombia, accusing him of insulting India on foreign soil because its people had “rejected him 90 times”.

BJP senior Ravi Shankar Prasad said, “It would have been better if, on the occasion of Vijayadashami, Rahul Gandhi had extended greetings to people of the country. But instead, he chooses to speak against India. Rahul Gandhi has developed a habit of defaming the nation...”

BJP IT department head Amit Malviya said, “Once again, Rahul Gandhi goes abroad and runs down Indian democracy and her people, just because they have rejected him more than 90 times.”