Picture Courtesy : DNA India
At a time when political temperature and opposition’s activities has picked up pace against the ruling BJP and NDA with a string of rallies featuring Congress lined up in the coming days, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has left for Oslo on an “invitation” from Norwegian government, reports Times of India.
The visit has attracted the attention of Congress leaders and rivals alike for its timing as he is likely to miss two crucial political rallies.
“On the invitation of the Norwegian ministry of foreign affairs, I will be travelling to Oslo for a few days,” Rahul Gandhi tweeted, adding, “Looking forward to meeting and exchanging ideas with political and business leaders and research institutions.”
On the invitation of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will be travelling to Oslo for a few days(1/2)
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) August 25, 2017
Looking forward to meeting and exchanging ideas with political and business leaders & research institutions(2/2)
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) August 25, 2017
While RJD chief Lalu Prasad is organising a joint opposition show in Patna on Sunday, the Congress vice-president may also miss the mega rally of opposition parties on September 1 in Gujarat. The show of strength in Valsad district is designed to kickstart the party’s campaign for assembly elections later in the year. Lalu’s “BJP Bhagao, Desh Bachao” (Banish BJP, Save country) rally has been pitched as the joint opposition’s challenge to Modi government and positioned as a big step towards cobbling a “grand alliance” for 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
The show of strength was conceived after JD(U) of chief minister Nitish Kumar pulled out of the “grand alliance” with RJD and Congress, and joined hands with the Bhartiya Janta Party to form the government.
Many view the timing of Rahul’s overseas visit as an excuse to stay away from Lalu’s rally. The Congress vice- president has been reluctant to share the dais with the RJD chief owing to his conviction in a corruption case.
It may be recalled that this is not the first time Rahul had expressed his displeasure on certain issues , Rahul had publicly torn the ordinance passed by then UPA government which would have helped convicted politicians like Lalu Prasad to retain their membership of Parliament pending an appeal in the court.
