NEW DELHI: Congress MP Danish Ali on Tuesday accused the Union government of indulging into “dirty politics” following its decision to designate a memorial site for former President Pranab Mukherjee amid opposition’s ongoing demand for a memorial space for former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the Rajghat precinct.
In a social media post on X, Ali alleged that the honour was given to the former President because “his love” for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
“The Modi government has indulged in dirty politics over death and has rejected the demand of the entire nation for space for Manmohan Singh at Rajghat memorial site and has given land at the same place for Pranab Mukherjee’s memorial. This is low level politics and a grave insult to the Prime Minister who brought economic revolution in the country,” the Congress MP said.
“This decision of the government is also a gift to Pranab Mukherjee for his love for the Sangh. Pranab Mukherjee had bowed his head at the Nagpur headquarters of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and conferred the title of Dhartiputra on Sangh founder Hedgewar. Mukherjee had also played an important role in getting Savarkar’s picture installed in the Parliament House,” he added.
Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party launched a scathing attack on the grand-old-party accusing it of disrespecting its own leaders.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi appreciates contribution to the country and regardless of political affiliation and honoured leaders Sharad Pawar, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Tarun Gogoi in his government.
“Pranab Mukherjee, who was the President of the country and was awarded the Bharat Ratna by Narendra Modi’s government, is being commemorated today. This highlights the narrow-mindedness of the Congress party‘s first family, which consistently disrespects its own great leaders. I recall Sharmistha Mukherjee mentioning that even a condolence meeting was not held by the CWC. Pranab Mukherjee and Dr. Manmohan Singh faced continuous disrespect, with ordinances being torn, and even after their passing, Rahul Gandhi left the country during the national mourning period. This shows their level of respect,” Poonawalla said.
“We saw that he didn’t participate in the rituals like immersion of ashes or continuous recitation because Rahul Gandhi wanted to party. Narasimha Rao was neither given a memorial nor the Bharat Ratna, and his body wasn’t even allowed to enter the Congress office. This has been the DNA of the Gandhi family and Congress, whether with Ambedkar, Sardar Patel, or Rajendra Prasad. The Congress party disrespected everyone except one family. Today, as Pranab Mukherjee is being honored, it shows that Narendra Modi appreciates contributions to the country, regardless of political affiliation. That’s why the Bharat Ratna was awarded. You might remember that leaders like Sharad Pawar, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Tarun Gogoi, and many others, even if not from our party, have been honored by Narendra Modi’s government,” he added.
This comes a day after the central government said in a letter that the “competent authority has approved the earmarking of the designated site within the ‘Rashtriya Smriti’ complex (a part of the Rajghat precinct) for erecting a Samadhi of Late Shri Pranab Mukherjee, the former President of India.”
Pranab Mukherjee’s daughter Sharmistha Mukherjee expressed gratitude to PM Modi for the decision and said, “Called on Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi ji to express thanks & gratitude from core of my heart 4 his govts’ decision 2 create a memorial 4 baba. It’s more cherished considering that we didn’t ask for it. Immensely touched by this unexpected but truly gracious gesture by PM.”
“Baba used to say that State honours shouldn’t be asked for, it should be offered. I’m so grateful that PM Modi did this to honour babas’ memory. It doesnt affect baba where he is now- beyond applaud or criticism. But for his daughter, words are not sufficient to express my joy,” she added.
Earlier, Sharmistha slammed the Congress Party for their criticism of the Centre over the funeral venue of Manmohan Singh, who passed away on December 26 last year.
“When baba passed away, Congress didn’t even bother 2 call CWC 4 condolence meeting. A senior leader told me it’s not done 4 Presidents. That’s utter rubbish as I learned later from baba’s diaries that on KR Narayanan’s death, CWC was called & condolence msg was drafted by baba only,” she had said.
