NEW DELHI: Stating that claims about USAID funds to India have proved to be false, Congress on Sunday accused BJP of indulging in “anti-national work” by spreading “fake news from America”. It said while BJP is actively involved in using fake news to defame Congress and the opposition, it is silent on insults being heaped upon India by US president Donald Trump and Elon Musk to secure pardon for Adani, who is facing cases in America.
Congress spokesman Jairam Ramesh called “BJP a procession of liars and illiterates”, as he reiterated what has become public – that $21 million that Trump and Musk claimed were for voter turnout for India, were actually for Bangladesh. He said Musk made a false claim and Trump was confused between Dhaka and Delhi but BJP spread the lie further, which was seized upon by “BJP’s bootlickers”.
“Now, BJP should answer this: Why did BJP spread fake news about India’s democracy? Why did BJP do anti-national activity by spreading fake news from America? Is BJP’s accusation against India’s opposition party using fake news from America not treason?” he asked.
Ramesh said PM Narendra Modi and external affairs minister S Jaishankar must answer why are they silent to repeated insults heaped upon India by Trump and Musk. “Is the country’s self-respect being compromised to beg for mercy for Adani?” he asked.
