Hyderabad: Senior Vice President of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) and Chairman of the Election Commission Coordination Committee,G Niranjan, criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly insulting the President during the Bharat Ratna presentation ceremony to L.K. Advani on Sunday.
Niranjan alleged that Modi disrespected the President by failing to adhere to protocol during the event, where Advani was honoured.
Speaking to the media at Gandhi Bhavan on Monday, Niranjan accused Modi of displaying arrogance and narrow-mindedness by remaining seated while the President was standing to present the Bharat Ratna award to Advani. He further stated that Modi's behaviour towards the President and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar, whom he allegedly kept at a distance during the program, was offensive and against protocol.
Niranjan emphasized the Congress party's strong condemnation of such behaviour and demanded an apology from Modi to the President, Vice President, and the people of India. He criticized Modi's claims of respecting Indian traditions while disregarding established protocols, citing instances where the President was reportedly not invited to key events.
Niranjan warned against what he perceived as dictatorial tendencies in Modi's leadership, labeling him as a deceptive actor and cautioning against the potential onset of authoritarian rule if Modi were to secure a third term in office.