Centre in fix over China
After BJP, Mulayam protests Khurshid’s visit to Beijing
The intrusion by Chinese troops 19-km deep into Ladakh saw SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav launching a scathing attack on the government in the Lok Sabha on Monday, accusing it of being “cowardly” and asking the Centre to cancel external affairs Salman Khursid’s proposed visit to Beijing — a day after BJP raised objection over it .
Asking why there was no response to the “attack”, the SP leader was joined in his criticism of the government by a couple of other members too in the LS. However, the government was spared further criticism as continuous din in the House forced an adjournment, thus preventing other members who wanted to raise the issue of the violation of the LAC from speaking.
Mr Yadav also objected to proposed visit of Mr Khurshid to Beijing in May. He is slated to leave for China on May 9 to meet his Chinese counterpart, Li Kequiang.
Noting that after the 1962 war it was decided that until China moved away from “every inch of our land, we will not hold any talks with them,” the SP leader remarked, “But now a minister is going to China to hold discussions.” Describing China as “our biggest enemy”, he said, “The threat from China is greater than Pakistan.”
However, Mr Khurshid, currently in Moscow, said the current situation is not the time for scoring points but for speaking in one voice. “Nation must give a clear signal that we speak in one voice. This is no time for scoring points.”