New Delhi, July 15 (IANS) Amid deafening silence over Rahul Gandhi’s absence from the political stage, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday said that the ‘shroud of secrecy’ surrounding his trips abroad was a matter of concern; and it was time that the Congress party and the Leader of Opposition (LoP) come clean on his sojourns, given his “association with India-baiters” during such visits.

BJP national spokesperson C.R. Kesavan, speaking to IANS, demanded that the party uphold transparency and reveal details of his foreign trips given his stature as the LoP in the Lok Sabha, as the nation and people have every right to know about these trips.

“The mystery around his long foreign trips raises very legitimate questions, raises suspicions in people’s minds: where did he go for three weeks and whom did he meet and what was the agenda,” he said.

In a counter to Rahul Gandhi’s ‘daro mat’ advice to citizens, Kesavan stated that if there was nothing to hide, why were Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party afraid to reveal the details of his foreign visits?

Justifying BJP’s objections to Rahul Gandhi’s repeated foreign trips, Kesavan said that these questions are being raised because many a time when Rahul Gandhi goes abroad, he has been seen gallivanting with individuals and forces who are blatant India-baiters and India-haters, often peddling an anti-India agenda.

Notably, the Monsoon Session of Parliament is set to begin on July 20, and the Opposition has amped itself up with a host of issues to corner the government. However, the LoP’s physical absence from public engagements and ‘silence’ on social media has become a national talking point.

Rahul is likely to lead the party’s charge against the Centre, but his prolonged absence only gave the BJP the necessary ammunition to take potshots at the grand old party.

Kesavan, tauntingly remarked, “Rahul Gandhi, taking a break from his long foreign expeditions, has finally decided to visit India.”

–IANS

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