Mumbai, August 18: NCP (SP) spokesperson Naseem Siddiqui targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday, labeling their questioning of Sonia Gandhi‘s patriotism as a “political stunt.” He emphasized that despite her Italian origins, Sonia Gandhi has fully embraced Indian traditions, making any negative remarks against her unjustified.
Regarding the Vande Mataram controversy, Siddiqui stated that the Constitution does not mandate its recitation, yet the BJP is attempting to impose it from schools to Parliament. He also commented on the BJP’s recent reshuffle, noting that while they have introduced 50-51 new faces in their 65-member team, the core remains unchanged. “The bottle is the same; only the contents have changed,” he remarked, suggesting that this shift will not significantly impact the BJP’s organization.
Siddiqui asserted, “No one can question Sonia Gandhi’s patriotism. After coming to India and marrying Rajiv Gandhi, she has lived according to Indian culture. The attacks against her are merely a political stunt.” He criticized the BJP’s strategy, reminding them that figures like Kumaraswamy should not forget that their fathers became Prime Ministers with Congress’s support. Targeting Sonia Gandhi is inappropriate, he stated.
On the Vande Mataram issue, Siddiqui noted that the debate has existed since India’s independence. Some people enjoy reciting it, while others do not, making it a contentious topic. He reiterated that the Constitution does not require its recitation.
Siddiqui pointed out that the BJP government is pushing to make it mandatory across schools, universities, and legislative assemblies. Regarding the BJP’s team changes, he remarked, “They are trying to attract new faces, but I don’t believe it will make a significant difference. This is merely an exercise to draw in new supporters, especially since the youth have distanced themselves due to the CJP movement.” He concluded that he does not think the BJP will succeed in this endeavor.
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