BJP releases ‘Cong toolkit’, calls it bid to defame nation

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 18

The BJP and Congress entered into a war of words, with the former levelling charge that the latter conspired to defame Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the country by projecting inept handling of the pandemic.

Several BJP leaders, including president JP Nadda and Union Minister Smirti Irani, took to social media platforms lambasting the Congress for allegedly circulating a toolkit among its activists and friends with resource material and stratagem to spoil Modi’s image.

In accordance with the agenda of the toolkit, the Congress has instructed its social media volunteers to call the new mutant strain of Covid-19 the “Modi strain” or the “India strain”, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra claimed in a tweet.

The Congress hit right back saying the BJP was resorting to its usual subterfuge to deflect nation’s attention from bona fide criticism of Modi on his handling of the pandemic.

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said the BJP was dropping red herrings, while he dissociated his party from the toolkit, copies of which were circulated by the BJP.

The Congress counter-charged that the putative toolkit was “forged” by the BJP, and its leaders said a complaint has been lodged with the Delhi Police. BJP leaders Nadda, Irani, BL Santosh and Sambit Patra and other BJP functionaries have been named in it.

The alleged toolkit has been inscribed on the letter head of AICC Research Department Chairperson Rajeev Gowda.

The Congress has demanded of the police to register a criminal case against these BJP leaders, and sought an investigation in the toolkit matter.

“The Congress will move the court to get the case registered in case police pussyfooted,” Khera said.

The police complaint has been signed by two leaders, including Gowda.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.