Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar sparked debate on Sunday after contending that Jawaharlal Nehru had become the Prime Minister of India ‘by accident’. The remark has prompted a sharp rebuttal from Congress leaders.
“I want to say that Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru became a prime minister by accident. In his place, someone who deserved it (to become India's first PM) was Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Dr BR Ambedkar,” the Union Minister said.
"He himself became an accidental chief minister and that's why he is talking like this," came the rebuttal from Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda.
The exchange comes mere days after the two parties found themselves at loggerheads yet again over Nehru era border policies. The Congress had accused PM Narendra Modi of ‘letting’ China continually occupy Indian territory after the other country announced some administrative changes.
The Congress has no right to question the government on Chinese issues when their own leadership failed to defend Indian territory during Nehru’s tenure…Imagine blaming Prime Minister Modi for Nehru's betrayal,” countered BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya.
Chinese authorities had announced the formation of two new counties in the Hotan at the beginning of January — including parts of Ladakh within its boundaries. The development has prompted a sharp rebuttal from Indian authorities with the Ministry of External Affairs lodging a ‘solemn protest’ on Friday. Beijing had incidentally made the announcement days after special representatives from the two nations resumed boundary talks after nearly five years.
According to an update shared by the Xinhua news agency, He'an County and Hekang County was established after approval from the Chinese Communist Party and the State Council. The county seat of He'an is Hongliu Township, while the county seat of Hekang is Xeyidula Township. The newly established He'an region however includes a large swathe of the Aksai Chin region that India accuses China of illegally occupying.
(With inputs from agencies)
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