Diplomatic outreach: Cong attacks Centre over 'politics'

Congress General Secretary in charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh on Sunday accused the Central government of playing "cheap politics" and indulging in "politicisation" by not including all the names recommended by the Opposition for the all-party parliamentary delegation which is set to visit key partner countries to highlight India's ongoing fight against cross-border terrorism and Operation Sindoor.

- TDG NETWORK

Jairam Ramesh alleged that despite formally submitting four names on request, the government ignored most of them, undermining parliamentary conventions and trust between the Opposition and the ruling party.

Speaking to ANI, Jairam Ramesh said, "On May 16, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju reached out on behalf of the Central government to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and requested four names from the party to join the multi-party parliamentary group."

"Responding promptly, Rahul Gandhi submitted a list comprising senior leaders Anand Sharma, Gaurav Gogoi, Nasir Hussain, and Raja Barar, before noon the same day," he said.

Ramesh said the government picked only one name from the list--Anand Sharma--and arbitrarily replaced the others with names not suggested by Congress.

"We gave the names they asked for, yet only one was included. This shows that the government's intention was already a mischievous one and this game was being played so that the formality of asking us ends," he alleged.

Ramesh claimed that the whole exercise appeared to be a formality to claim that talks were held, but in reality, it was mere damage control.