NEW DELHI: In a sharp response to BJP MP Sambit Patra‘s remarks labelling Congress leader and LoP in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, a “traitor of the highest order,” Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi defended her brother on Friday, expressing pride in his dedication to the nation.
“Those who can call Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi traitors—if they do the same to Rahul Gandhi, there is nothing new in it,” said Congress MP from Wayanad, during a press interaction.
“I am proud of my brother. For him, nothing is above this country. He walked 4,000 kilometers from Kanniyakumari to Kashmir for the unity of this nation. They don’t have the courage to discuss the Adani issue, so they resort to such accusations,” she added.
The remarks by Patra, made during a presser on Thursday, have heated the political space. Patra alleged that Rahul Gandhi is part of a “dangerous triangle” with billionaire George Soros and the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), aimed at destabilising India.
“We are going to talk about this dangerous triangle which is trying to destabilise India,” said Patra. “On one side is George Soros from America, along with some agencies; on another side is a big news portal named OCCRP; and the last, and most important, side is Rahul Gandhi—‘a traitor of the highest order.’ I am not scared to use this word.”
Patra further attacked Rahul of working under the directives of the OCCRP. “OCCRP is a global media agency funded by George Soros’s Open Society Foundation. Such agencies work for the interests of their funders. Rahul Gandhi is betraying the whole country, following OCCRP’s dictates,” he added.
In response, Congress MP Hibi Eden has filed a notice seeking a privilege motion against Patra for his “completely defamatory and unparliamentary” remarks. In his letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Eden said, “The usage of such language against the leader of the opposition has clearly violated constitutional norms. I urge the Speaker to take action against Sambit Patra.”