BJP Demands Rahul Gandhi's Apology Over Memoir Controversy
In a significant political development, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday demanded an immediate apology from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of making baseless claims regarding former Army chief General (retd) M M Naravane's unpublished memoir. The demand came after publisher Penguin issued a public statement clarifying that the memoir has not been published in any format, and the author himself endorsed this position.
Publisher and Author Statements Expose Claims
Former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad stated that Penguin's clear declaration and General Naravane's endorsement have exposed Rahul Gandhi's claims as false. "Penguin has issued a public statement, clearly stating that General Naravane's memoir has not yet been published in any format. They also claimed copyright," Prasad emphasized. He further accused Gandhi of violating copyright law by displaying what he claimed was a copy of the book during parliamentary proceedings.
"What is this? You are leader of the opposition and are citing fake stuff," Prasad questioned, adding that Gandhi's actions were "in keeping with his character" of spreading lies that misled both Parliament and the nation.
BJP Spokesperson Calls Actions Unpardonable
BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi reinforced the party's position, stating that the statements from Penguin and General Naravane have completely exposed Rahul Gandhi and destroyed the "fiction" he attempted to present in the Lok Sabha. "His figment of imagination has been destroyed by both the publisher and the author," Trivedi declared.
Trivedi emphasized that while Gandhi was questioning others about his claims, it has now become evident that he was the only person lying throughout the entire episode. The BJP spokesperson went further, accusing Gandhi of raising unwarranted doubts on critical national security matters, calling his actions "unpardonable" and demanding an immediate apology.
Violation of Parliamentary Conventions and Law
The BJP's accusations extend beyond mere political disagreement, with the party claiming that Rahul Gandhi's actions violated not only parliamentary conventions but also existing laws. The copyright violation allegation adds a legal dimension to what began as a political controversy.
This development marks another chapter in the ongoing political tensions between the ruling BJP and opposition Congress, with the memoir controversy becoming a focal point for accusations of misinformation and parliamentary misconduct. The demand for apology reflects the BJP's strategy to hold opposition leaders accountable for their statements in legislative forums.
