Congress in touch with Left-wing extremist outfits: Nirmala Sitharaman

Union Finance Minister accuses the party of absentee politics; hails PM Modi’s vaccine policy

The Congress is in touch with “Left-wing extremist groups” that are fighting against the country and is extending support to such outfits that want to break the nation, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman charged in Chennai on Sunday.

Speaking at the 52nd anniversary of Thuglak magazine, Ms. Sitharaman said the party had since the time of Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, been associated with “fringe parties” such as the Communist parties and had given them various posts and foreign tours to Russia and Nepal.

“[Congress leader] Rahul Gandhi is going and standing at places and with such people who want to break the nation, something Indira Gandhi or Rajiv Gandhi wouldn’t have done. Congress is telling such groups that you go and protest and we will keep supporting you,” she claimed. “This is the kind of absentee politics that we don’t want in the country,” she said.

The minister said that when the BJP stated it wanted a “Congress- mukt Bharat” (Congress-free India), it meant certain behaviours that defined the Congress and other parties; behaviours such as absentee politics, elitism, blundering, corruption and dynastic politics.

“Whe BJP said it wanted a “Congress-mukt Bharat” (Congress-free India), it meant certain behaviours that defined the Congress and other parties; behaviours such as absentee politics, elitism, blundering, corruption and dynastic politics.”Nirmala SeetharamanFinance minister

Taking a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, she charged that he behaved like the owner of the party and won’t do any work on the ground but will only tweet and go abroad. According to her, the country wanted an active Congress that would come for discussion, stand up for people’s issues.

Hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi for India’ COVID vaccination rate, she claimed the Congress had created vaccine hesitancy in the country. “I am thankful that Narendra Modi was India’s Prime Minister when Covid happened. I cannot imagine what would have happened otherwise,” she said.