‘Because Musharraf wanted to see Rahul Gandhi as PM’: BJP’s jibe at Shashi Tharoor
As Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Sunday termed Pervez Musharraf as ‘foe-turned-real force for peace’ in his condolence message, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla attacked the Congress for finding peace in a person” who had hailed Osama Bin Laden”.
This is the Congress that doubted Balakot, called its own Army chief ‘sadak ka gunda’ but hails Musharraf, the BJP leader said. “Once upon a time, Musharraf had hailed Rahul Gandhi as a gentleman,” Poonawalla tweeted.
Pakistan’s former president Pervez Musharraf dies on Sunday at the age of 79 at a Dubai hospital. He was suffering from amyloidosis.
Shashi Tharoor condoled his death and said Musharraf was once an implacable foe of India but he became a real force for peace between 2002 and 2007. “I met him annually in those days at the UN and found him smart, engaging and clear in his strategic thinking. RIP,” Shashi Tharoor’s post read.
“Parvez Musharraf who had hailed Osama Bin Laden & Taliban had sung praises of Rahul Gandhi too – called him a gentleman and pledged his support to him!! Perhaps this is the reason why Shashi Tharoor is eulogising the architect of Kargil & a backer of terrorism!! Sigh,” Shehzad wrote.
Musharraf’s comment on Rahul Gandhi that Shehzad referred to dates back to 2019 ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. In an interview, Musharraf said he would like to see Rahul Gandhi as the prime minister of India. “My hopes, frankly, honestly talking, not for India or Pakistan, if we want peace Modi Saab is not the man for peace,” Musharraf said.
On being asked about Rahul Gandhi, Musharraf said when his mother, elder brother and son went to Delhi (when Musharraf was the president), Rahul Gandhi had invited his son for a cup of tea. Manmohan Singh invited all three of them for lunch, he added. “I mean these are things that should be encouraged. You know I used to encourage the cricket match with India…instead of creating a hysteria…” Musharraf had said.