News Brief
Kuldeep Negi
May 28, 2024, 08:34 AM | Updated 08:34 AM IST
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (27 May) responded sharply to the apparent support for Congress's Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal from a Pakistani leader.
He described the matter as "very serious" and called for an investigation.
In an interview with news agency IANS, PM Modi stated, "I don't think I should comment on such topics from the position I am in, but I can understand your concern."
Ahead of the voting in Delhi for the Lok Sabha elections, former Pakistan minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, who had earlier shared a video of Rahul Gandhi and praised him, also expressed support for Arvind Kejriwal, but met with a rebuff.
When asked about the issue, PM Modi told IANS, "I don't know why those who have enmity with us, like a few people. Why voices are raised from there [Pakistan] in support of a few people," NDTV reported.
He acknowledged that it is a concern but emphasized that the Indian voter is mature and unaffected by external statements.
"The election is of India and India's democracy is very mature, has healthy traditions and the voters of India are also not the voters who are influenced by any outside activities," he said.
Chaudhry, who served as a minister in former Prime Minister Imran Khan's cabinet, had previously commented positively when Kejriwal received interim bail from the Supreme Court.
"Modi G Lost another battle #Kejriwal released... good news for moderate India," he said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Chaudhry's next post responded to a photo of Kejriwal and his family at the polling booth.
After the Delhi Chief Minister posted the photo, Chaudhry commented, "May peace and harmony defeat forces of hate and extremism #MorePower #IndiaElection2024."
Kejriwal reacted sharply, stating, "Chaudhry Sahib, I and the people of my country are capable of solving our own problems. We don't need your tweet. Right now, Pakistan is in a terrible state. You handle your own country."
Earlier, Chaudhry's support for Rahul Gandhi had triggered a political storm, with various BJP leaders, including Union minister Rajnath Singh, criticising the Congress.
Kuldeep is Senior Editor (Newsroom) at Swarajya. He tweets at @kaydnegi.