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Rahul Gandhi had said that PM Modi was beginning to show signs of memory loss, drawing a comparison to Biden, who frequently makes headlines for his verbal gaffes and missteps.
The Congress leader made the headlines while addressing a poll rally in Maharashtra’s Amravati on November 16 while attacking PM Modi. (File image)
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday condemned Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s alleged disparaging remarks on the cognitive abilities of United States (US) President Joe Biden, saying that such remarks are unfortunate and are not in keeping with government friendly ties with the US.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during the weekly briefing said, “You know, that India shares multifaceted partnership with the United States, and this partnership has been built over years of perseverance, togetherness, mutual respect and commitment by both sides. We see such reports as remarks as unfortunate, and they’re not in keeping with government friendly ties with the United States.”
What Rahul Gandhi Had Said?
The Congress leader made the headlines while addressing a poll rally in Maharashtra’s Amravati on November 16 while attacking PM Modi. He said that the latter was beginning to show signs of memory loss, drawing a comparison to Biden, who frequently makes headlines for his verbal gaffes and missteps.
The Raebareli MP recalled an incident where Biden had mistakenly introduced Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as Russian President Vladimir Putin at an event.
#WATCH | Amravati, Maharashtra: Congress MP and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi says, “My sister was telling me that she heard Modi ji’s speech. And in that speech, whatever we say, Modi ji is saying the same thing these days. I don’t know, maybe he has lost his memory. The former… pic.twitter.com/bsF0wQ0KpO— ANI (@ANI) November 16, 2024
“My sister was telling me that she heard Modi ji’s speech. And in that speech, whatever we say, Modi ji is saying the same thing these days. I don’t know, maybe he has lost his memory.” He added, “The former President of America used to forget; he had to be reminded from behind. The President of Ukraine came, and the President of America said that Russian President Putin has come. He had lost his memory, similarly, our Prime Minister is losing his memory,” he had said.
BJP Hits Back
The BJP had slammed the Lok Sabha LoP for his absurd remarks. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla had launched a scathing critique, calling Gandhi “nafrat ke bhaijaan” (brother of enmity/hate) for his personal attacks on PM Modi.
Medics Group Seeks Rahul’s Apology
Additionally, a group of medical practitioners had demanded a public apology from the Congress leader, saying that the remarks suggested a lack of sensitivity.
In a letter to former Congress chief and Rahul Gandhi’s mother Sonia Gandhi, All India President of the National Medicos Organisation Bharat (NMO-Bharat) C B Tripathi had said that Rahul Gandhi’s comments have perpetuated harmful stereotypes about ageing and cognitive health.
“We are writing this letter as concerned members of the medical fraternity, deeply troubled by the recent remarks attributed to Mr. Rahul Gandhi, which appeared to disparage the cognitive abilities of the President of the United States, Joe Biden,” PTI quoted the letter.
The medical practitioners said that such remarks are also “unbecoming” of a Leader of Opposition and suggest a “lack of understanding and sensitivity.”
