INDIA
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi Friday threw a political bombshell when he publicly rubbished a controversial ordinance passed by the union cabinet as "wrong" and "complete nonsense" and one that deserved to be "torn and thrown away".
But within hours, Rahul Gandhi wrote to the prime minister saying he had the highest respect for him and hoped he would understand the strength of his conviction.
The letter is seen as a move to dispel the notion that Rahul's criticism was a public snub to the prime minister and a challenge to the collective decision of the cabinet and Congress core group.
In his letter to Manmohan Singh, who is in the US, Gandhi said, "I realise that what I feel about the Ordinance is not in harmony with the cabinet decision and the core group's view. "I also know it would be exploited by our political opponents. You know that I have the highest respect for you and I look up to you for your wisdom. I have nothing but the greatest admiration for the manner in which you are providing leadership in extremely difficult circumstances. I hope you will understand the strength of my own conviction about this very controversial issue."
The letter was made public by the Congress party.
Earlier Friday, at an impromptu press conference at the Press Club of India, Rahul Gandhi tore into the ordinance, saying: "My opinion of the ordinance is that it is complete nonsense. It should be torn up and thrown away. What the government has done is wrong." Gandhi told surprised journalists. "It is time to stop this nonsense."
Ahead of holding talks with President Barack Obama, Manmohan Singh issued a statement in Washington that the issues raised would be considered by the cabinet on his return to India next week.
He said "the ordinance cleared by the cabinet pertaining to the Representation of the People Act has been a matter of much public debate. The Congress vice president has also written to me on the issue and also made a statement," the prime minister said, referring to the letter written by Rahul Gandhi. "The government is seized of all these developments. The issues raised will be considered on my return to India after due deliberations in the cabinet," the statement said. Rahul's mother and Congress president Sonia Gandhi is understood to have called up Manmohan Singh and spoken to him after her son's comments.
At the Press Club, Rahul said the ordinance was born out of "political considerations" and it was time "political parties, including mine, should stop making these kind of compromises. We cannot continue make these small compromises," said the de facto number two in Congress party. He refused to take any other questions, indicating that he had just come to give his "personal opinion".
Visibly irked with the statement, Sanjaya Baru, a former aide to the prime minister, in fact suggested that Manmohan Singh should resign and Rahul Gandhi should apologise to him for undermining his position and authority. The ordinance that was cleared Tuesday by the cabinet, headed by the prime minister, seeks to protect convicted lawmakers. The prime minister left the next day on a five-day visit to the US.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders were quick in asking that the prime minister should resign.The dramatic pronouncements were immediately termed as "grandstanding", "a charade" and aimed at "damage control" by the BJP, while the Left leader Gurudas Dasgupta said he was "baffled" by Rahul Gandhi's comment.
External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said in Washington that Rahul Gandhi's comments were not aimed to undermine the position of the prime minister. BJP leader Arun Jaitley said "the whole country is waiting to see if the prime minister has any self-respect left. Whether he accepts the decision of his cabinet being called nonsense."
The Congress ministers, who were till the morning defending the ordinance, made a u-turn to support Rahul Gandhi, the party's emerging star.
The ordinance is with President Pranab Mukherjee, who has already sought clarifications from Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and Law Minister Kapil Sibal. The ordinance seeks to overturn the Supreme Court ruling that disqualifies convicted MPs and legislators.
Maken, who till moments ago was defending the ordinance, said the Congress was now opposed to it. "Rahul Gandhi is our leader. His view is now the official view of the Congress party. If he opposes the ordinance, the Congress also opposes it," he said as journalists thronged around him after Rahul Gandhi left. "He does not want persons with criminal background to get elected to the parliament or state legislatures."
Hinting what could be the fate of the ordinance, Maken further said: "The view of the Congress should be supreme."
Emirates flight attendant's BTS video sparks firing rumours, airline responds, see post here
Anupam Mittal asks Namita Thapar to quit Shark Tank India because...: 'If you're...'
Meet comedian who was slapped, kicked out of film set by...; his net worth is now...
Top 3 iconic cricket rivalries
Couple recreates dance with same friend squad for sangeet after 10 years, watch viral video
Meet actor who served during Kargil War, put his career on hold for..., he is...
RCB captain announcement LIVE Updates: Rajat Patidar to lead team in IPL 2025
Ranveer Allahbadia cries in viral video over..., the truth behind it will shock you
Meet actress who is queen of Rs 500 cr club, set to enter again with..., she is...
Rohit Shetty teases 'biggest love story of 2025' feat Ranveer Singh and.., fans react
Hajj 2025: You can't take your children to Hajj this year due to...
Aly Goni supports Samay Raina because..., says he was forced to...
Students' farewell dance on SRK's 'Aankhein Khuli' steals the show, watch viral video
World’s longest railway station has 44 platforms, 67 tracks, has secret platform, located in…
New Income Tax Bill likely to be introduced in parliament today; here's what to expect
Meet IIT-JEE topper with 300 marks in JEE Mains Session 1 Result 2025, advices students not to...
Rozlyn Khan files defamation case against Ankita Lokhande: 'A woman who could use...'
PM Modi US visit: PM Modi arrives at Blair House, greets members of Indian diaspora
Meet son of billionaire whose net worth is Rs 77,280 crore, leads business empire in Australia as...
Happy Kiss Day 2025: Wishes, WhatsApp messages, images, quotes to share with your lover
Why Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of Champions Trophy 2025? Report says Ajit Agarkar...
Meet woman, who studied 17-18 hours daily, cracked UPSC in sixth attempt with AIR..., she is...
DNA TV Show: Delhi Police searches for AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan in threat case
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 warm-up fixtures: Will India play any practice game before mega event?
Meet man, IIT graduate, who once worked at Google, OpenAI, now owns...
BTC X8 Bumex Review 2025: Scam or Legit Trading Platform? Quick facts
AR Rahman comments on future of music, worries about THIS genre: 'We have lost all…’
UPSC introduces changes in online application process after aspirants' complaints; check here
TRAI's BIG move, introduces new rules against pesky calls, messages, fines telcos for...
Vir Das breaks his silence on India’s Got Latent controversy: 'A good artist will always…'
Who was Kim Rieul? Korean designer behind BTS and MONSTA X’s modern hanboks passes away at 32
Trade Compliance Meets Cybersecurity: Forensic Strategies for Risk Management
Enabling governance to organizations within AWS marketplace: A look at private marketplace
R Madhavan makes BIG STATEMENT about his bank account: 'I don't know how much I have and...'
Asense Interior: Celebrating 11 Years of Redefining Luxury Interiors in Bengaluru
Snow Moon 2025: When and how to witness February's full moon tonight? Know here
Kiss Day 2025: Why do we celebrate this day? Know history and significance
DNA Verified: Is Rashtrapati Bhavan hosting a wedding for the FIRST time? Know truth here
India's retail inflation slows to 4.31 per cent in January due to...
WATCH: Maha Kumbh girl Mona Lisa starts training before filming her 1st movie alongside Anupam Kher
Radhika Merchant stuns in blue and green suit at MahaKumbh Mela, it costs Rs....
BIG move by Mukesh Ambani, Reliance partners with US company, set to drive...
IND v ENG: Why are India and England players wearing green arm bands in 3rd ODI at Ahmedabad?
Tripti Dimri sets major beachwear goals in Maldives; can you guess price of her swimsuit?
Mitolyn Supplement Reviews: Ingredients, benefits, side effects, purple peel exploit
Gaurav Sharma: Visionary leader driving cybersecurity excellence
All About Details: Turning ordinary outfits into statement looks
Duolingo owl is dead? Launguage learning app urges users to respect Dua Lipa's privacy, know why
Why digitisation is necessary in construction industry and why its adoption remains slow
Meet IIT-JEE topper, who created record in Odisha by scoring 99.98 percentile, aims to join...
When is Shab-e-Barat 2025 – February 13 or 14? Check history, significance