New Delhi, Aug 18 — Opposition leaders on Tuesday slammed Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy over his remarks about senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s Italian origin, describing the comments as “quite unfortunate” and alleging that the BJP and RSS continue to follow a politics of “divide and rule”.
The criticism came amid the escalating controversy over Vande Mataram, which has now turned into a broader political row after Kumaraswamy questioned Sonia Gandhi’s Indian identity.
Talking to reporters in Hassan on Monday, Kumaraswamy said: "Is Sonia Gandhi from our nation? She migrated to India after marriage. Naturally, Italian blood flows in her veins."
Speaking to IANS, CPI-M General Secretary M.A. Baby termed the remarks unfortunate and said Kumaraswamy, being a Union Minister and a leader of the Janata Dal-Secular, should not have made a personal attack on an important Opposition leader.
"It is quite unfortunate that Mr Kumaraswamy, a Union Minister and leader of Janata Dal-S, has made a personal attack on one of the important Opposition leaders of our country. She was the Chairperson of the UPA when the government was in power," he said.
He recalled that in 2004, when the Congress had an opportunity to form the government, Sonia Gandhi could have become Prime Minister as she was an undisputed leader of the party at the time.
“But she refused to take the oath as Prime Minister and led the Congress Working Committee to choose another person; that was Manmohan Singh, as the Prime Minister,” he said.
CPI General Secretary D. Raja said there were two separate issues involved in the controversy — Vande Mataram and Kumaraswamy’s remarks against Sonia Gandhi.
"The issue was debated in Parliament. No consensus emerged, but with a majority, the present government headed by Mr Modi passed it. Now, there are many questions being raised in several states, including Tamil Nadu," he said.
On Kumaraswamy’s remarks, Raja said: "I deplore such a statement. After all, Sonia is a leader of the Indian National Congress. She is a Member of Parliament and one of the senior leaders in the country."
"People marry across castes and nationalities. They adapt to the country where they settle with their life partners. Why rake up such an issue regarding Sonia Gandhi? One must be very dignified while making such comments. It is not proper for a leader like Kumaraswamy to attack or criticise Sonia Gandhi on that count. We don’t agree with that," he added.
Congress MP Kumari Selja said the remarks reflected the mindset of the BJP and RSS.
“Look, their thinking has always been like this. They cannot rise above these things. The real successors of the British are these people. The BJP-RSS spreads the policy of divide and rule,” she said.
DMK Spokesperson T.K.S. Elangovan said: "See, she is from Italy. Everybody knows that. But she has been working for Indians. She married an Indian leader, and her children are in politics. They are all working. See, regarding Vande Mataram, the accepted practice was that the full song should not be sung. This was decided way back in 1947, so a certain portion should be sung."