Mumbai, December 21 (IANS). Congress MP Kumari Shailaja in the Lok Sabha on Sunday refuted the ‘anti-India’ allegations leveled by the BJP against Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his foreign trips and accused the party of being in the ‘habit’ of criticizing him. Congress MP Kumari Shailaja on Sunday accused the BJP of having only one agenda – ‘communal division’ – in every election, while comparing it to the Congress, which she said was always connected with the people. In an interview to IANS, Shailaja said that the Congress party is ready for the crucial BMC elections to be held next month. He also said that the BJP always decides to malign the Congress instead of presenting details of its performance in the last 11 years at the Centre. Question:- You are currently in Mumbai. Maharashtra local body results are out and there are also BMC elections. BJP has released the list of many prominent campaigners including Himanta Biswa Sarma, Yogi Adityanath. What is your plan to counter BJP? Answer:- This decision will be taken by the party. They will decide where star campers are needed, who to call and the party will make this decision considering the local situation and circumstances. However, BJP has only one agenda, communal division. When his star camp fighters come here, they will also give statements according to this agenda. Our party has always been connected with the people. Political circumstances keep changing. This is another thing, but our workers, especially here, have always raised public issues. Our people always work among the public and in the coming time when BMC elections will be held, you will see that all our people are fully prepared for it. Question:- Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the BJP-led central government is correcting the mistakes of the Congress. The party was also said to have given free rein to infiltrators for votes. The government identifies these infiltrators and expels them from the country. What is your opinion on this? Answer:- When the honorable Prime Minister speaks, the media and everyone should listen carefully, but the facts should also come out. Where did he give speeches and how many infiltrators were identified and how many were expelled in 11 years? Instead of criticizing the Congress party without any reason, they should also give information about this. Defaming the Congress party has become the identity of BJP. It would be better if he answered himself about the last 11 years. No performance can be achieved simply by changing the names of the schemas. Question:- BJP has made many allegations about Rahul Gandhi’s foreign trips, which include allegations against him that he met anti-Indian forces and ‘defaming the country’. What would you say about this? Answer:- If such activity has taken place till now, do you think that BJP has only continued to make statements instead of doing anything? Criticizing Rahul Gandhi has become a habit of BJP. These BJP members usually point fingers at Rahul Gandhi. Before criticizing Rahul Gandhi, he should also consider his own shortcomings. Question:- First Karnataka announced to introduce a law against hate speech and now Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy also announced that the government will introduce a new law against hate speech and communal statements. Do you think this is the need of the hour? Answer:- Everyone sees how much poison is being spread in politics. Harmony is our culture, but spreading hatred is not our culture. We must never stoop so low. We must maintain harmony among ourselves. If we criticize someone in politics, it should be based on issues. Our culture also does not allow hate speech and should not be a place for it. Question:- Revanth Reddy also said that Christmas can be celebrated in Telangana only because of the sacrifices and contributions of Sonia Gandhi. What is your opinion on this? Answer:- I don’t know what he said or what he didn’t say but our country is a country of religious harmony. We respect everyone and we all celebrate each other’s festivals together. Question:- The issue of Aravali has become a topic of discussion at the national level. People are also protesting against the government’s stance. Do you think the Center made the right decision? Answer:- Humans cannot play with nature. This is not only a threat to the coming generations but also to the wildlife that lives in the forests and has full rights over these forests. If we tamper with it, people will definitely oppose it. Question:- ‘Vikas Bharat Gram Vikas Bill’ has been brought in place of MNREGA. The opposition is against this change. What is your opinion on this? Answer:- The government has two objectives, one is to erase the good work done and second is to change the name. He has nothing to do with the poor. He is only concerned with the rich. This is clearly visible in this bill. Question:- How do you view the hijab controversy? PDP leader Iltija Mufti also lodged an FIR against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar? Answer:- I would not call it only hijab controversy. I would say that for any woman, no matter what religion she belongs to, whether she wears hijab or niqab, she should be respected. Nitish Kumar should apologise. He is getting old and everyone can see that his public behavior has not been good for some time. –IANS office/abm
