Rahul Kailash Yatra sets off Chinese row

Coming down heavily on Rahul Gandhi for his Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, the BJP on Friday said that the Congress president is obsessed with China. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra, while addressing a media briefing, asked Gandhi why he is behaving like a Chinese spokesperson and took a dig by reminding him that he is "Rahul Gandhi, not Chinese Gandhi".

Patra said, "Why did Rahul Gandhi want the Chinese Ambassador to India to give him a ceremonial see-off at the Indira Gandhi International Airport? Why is Mr Rahul Gandhi behaving like a Chinese spokesperson, rather than an Indian spokesperson? Why is Mr Rahul Gandhi holding the brief of China across the globe? He advertises China as if he is the brand ambassador.’’

The BJP leader alleged that UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and her entire family were given a ceremonial reception by the Chinese government in the 2008 Olympics. The BJP leader used a Bollywood song to launch an attack in this regard and said, "Yeh rishta kya kehlata hai? (What does this relationship mean?)" The BJP spokesperson also criticised Gandhi for describing Doklam stand-off as 'Dhokhalam'.

Gandhi had decided to undertake the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after his plane plunged hundreds of feet during the campaign for Karnataka polls. The pilgrimage will take about 12 days, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said. He said the route he would take could not be disclosed due to security reasons. The buzz is that Rahul would be travelling through China.