Piyush Goyal Slams Rahul’s ‘Toffee’ Comment
Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, saying that the world trusts Prime Minister Narendra Modi while the Congress leader continues to display a “negative mindset” in his remarks.
Speaking to ANI, Goyal said Rahul Gandhi’s statements and speeches reflected frustration and that the public was repeatedly rejecting him.
“On the one hand, the entire world looks at India and the Prime Minister with great trust. On the other hand, Rahul Gandhi, who has a negative outlook, is repeatedly displaying his nature and character in his statements and speeches,” he said.
He further alleged that the Congress leader resorted to abusive language against the Prime Minister.
“It is a different matter that the people of India are rejecting him one after another… His frustration and self-created emotions, and the way he’s resorted to abusive language and used derogatory language against the Prime Minister are evident,” Goyal said.
Questioning Rahul Gandhi’s use of the term “treason” in political attacks, the minister launched a counter-charge against the Congress party.
“Is eliminating Naxalism treason? Or is allowing Naxalism to flourish for years under Congress rule treason?. The way the Congress Party and the Gandhi family support infiltrators is treason,” he said.
He further added comparisons on terrorism and national security, asking whether strong anti-terror actions should be criticised.
“Is honouring the Indian flag on a global stage considered treason, or is insulting the Indian flag abroad considered treason? Is breaking the back of terrorism, giving a befitting reply to terrorism, considered treason? Or is feeding biryani to terrorists, or compromising with terrorists, considered treason?” Goyal said.
He also said Rahul Gandhi’s language reflected weakness, saying, “It’s clear that the terminology Rahul Gandhi uses is what is called ‘abuses are the weapon of the weak’ in English”.
“It’s clear that the country is now looking at Rahul Gandhi’s weaknesses, the failures of the Gandhi family and the Congress party, and the world’s fastest-growing economy under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, and India’s prestige on the global stage,” he added.
Goyal also highlighted Prime Minister Modi’s recent five-nation visit, saying it was a major success for India’s global outreach and economic diplomacy.
“During Prime Minister Modi’s visit, India was in the spotlight in 5 countries over 5 days… The Indian origin people honoured them in these countries. A clear message was given that India stands very strongly on the world stage. The world looks at India with respect. Today, the entire world looks at Prime Minister Modi’s leadership with honour and respect,” he said
He added that the Prime Minister held meetings with CEOs of more than 50 global companies to boost investment, trade, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, defence cooperation, and energy partnerships.
The remarks came amid continued political sparring over Rahul Gandhi’s recent criticism of the government, where the Congress leader warned of an “economic storm” due to global tensions and questioned the Prime Minister’s handling of foreign policy and economic risks.
He had also criticised the Prime Minister’s recent five-nation visit, including a widely discussed “Melody moment” during which PM Modi gifted Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni a packet of “Melody” toffees during their meeting in Rome.
Re-invoking his “traitor” jibe against PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, he said he would not apologise for his remarks. “Listen up, RSS folks. I will never apologise, and I say it again: Narendra Modi and Amit Shah are traitors, because they have attacked the Constitution. I am not afraid of you people,” Gandhi asserted.
Meanwhile, PM Modi had recently concluded a five-nation tour covering the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy. (ANI)
