The BJP has lashed out at senior Congress politician Rahul Gandhi for staying away from the swearing-in of CP Radhakrishnan, who took oath on Thursday as India's 15th Vice President.
BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari took to X and accused the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha of disrepecting fundamental democratic conventions.
"Rahul Gandhi loathes Indian Constitution! Rahul Gandhi loathes Indian democracy! Rahul Gandhi boycotts the official Vice President swearing-in ceremony," Bhandari posted.
"Few days back, he had boycotted the celebration of India's independence at Red Fort! Can a man who despises India's Independence Day, swearing-in of a Constitutional dignitary, be fit to be in public life?" Mr Bhandari added.
"Rahul Gandhi hates Indian Constitution! Rahul Gandhi hates Indian democracy! Rahul Gandhi boycotts the official Vice President swearing-in ceremony," he said.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge attended the function, but Gandhi was not present. Reports indicate he missed the ceremony as he was going to Gujarat for a party program.
In his defence, Congress leader Udit Raj claimed that it was not necessary for the Leader of the Opposition to be present. "There is no such rule. The Congress chief represented the party at the event. BJP hates the Constitution. They are subverting the Constitution. Rahul Gandhi is fighting to save it." he declared.
It should be noted here that back in 2022, some Opposition parties had also boycotted Jagdeep Dhankhar's oath-taking as Vice President. Mr Dhankhar, who had resigned this year with health reasons cited by him, attended the ceremony today. His extended absence from public life had already raised eyebrows among the Opposition earlier.
Besides BJP, NDA ally Shiv Sena also condemned the Opposition's absence. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Sena leader Eknath Shinde said such events should remain above political fights. "The Opposition must not play politics during constitutional events," he said.
President Droupadi Murmu oathed Radhakrishnan in the ceremony. Radhakrishnan had previously served as Maharashtra Governor before he was appointed the NDA's vice-presidential candidate. He had won the election against Opposition candidate B Sudershan Reddy by a margin of 152 votes. Radhakrishnan will hold office until September 11, 2030.
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