Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], July 5 : BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi on Saturday slammed Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on India's trade negotiations with the United States and said he should understand the responsibilities that come with the post of Leader of the Opposition.
Trivedi lashed at the LoP and said that it is beyond understanding why Rahul Gandhi was attempting to become a bigger 'Muhafiz.'
Speaking to the mediapersons, Trivedi said, "I think Rahul Gandhi should understand the dignity of the post of LoP. Even before this, he used the word 'surrender' for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This word was not used even by Pakistan's PM, Defence Minister or Army chief of Pakistan, that India 'surrendered'. Even terrorists like Maulana Masood Azhar and Hafiz Saeed did not use the word."
"It is beyond understanding why Rahul Gandhi is attempting to become a bigger 'Muhafiz' of Pakistan than Hafiz. I think a Congress spokesperson can explain this better," said Sudhanshu Trivedi.
The BJP leader also reacted to Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray's 'BJP's flag only a piece of cloth used to clean utensils' statement and said, "During the rule of the parties with which he is standing today, Pakistan's and ISIS flags were seen in Kashmir. I think before making such statements, he should be mindful of the dignity of any party."
"We respect all parties. But during their rule, even the national flag was not respected. People with whom he is standing today ask where it is written that one needs to stand up for national anthem and respect national flag. So, I think if he analyses his own statement, he will be able to understand better that his party doesn't seem to be carrying out the great legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray that he is representing," he added.
Earlier in the day, Union Minister Piyush Goyal also hit back at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's remarks on India's trade negotiations with the United States and stated that nobody took the Congress leader seriously anymore because of the negativity he and his colleagues spread.
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi, reacting to Piyush Goyal's statement on India entering trade deals, stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will "meekly bow" to theTrump tariff deadlines, referring to the India-US trade deal.
Rahul Gandhi referenced a media report and wrote on X, "Piyush Goyal can beat his chest all he wants, mark my words, Modi will meekly bow to the Trump tariff deadline."
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday emphasised that India will only enter into trade agreements, including the proposed US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), when they serve the country's national interests and offer mutual benefits.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 16th Toy Biz B2B expo in New Delhi, Goyal made it clear that India's approach to international trade negotiations remains firm and principled.
"It should be a win-win agreement, and only when India's interests are safeguarded -- national interest will always be supreme -- and keeping that in mind, if a good deal is formed, India is always ready to engage with developed countries," the minister stated. Goyal emphasised that India negotiates on its terms.
The minister revealed that India is currently engaged in trade discussions with multiple countries across different continents.