The BJP on Monday hit out at the Congress for focusing on the vegetarian menu served at the BRICS summit dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the Opposition party had failed to offer any substantive commentary on India's diplomatic achievements.
BJP spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi said the Congress' remarks about the dinner were "laughable and shameful" and proved that its leaders were "naraz fufas" (disgruntled uncles).
"Even after such a significant and successful diplomatic achievement for India, the Congress party’s commentary solely focused on the dinner and the menu was not only laughable and shameful, but it also proved that they are ‘naraz fufa’ (disgruntled uncles) indeed," Trivedi said at a press conference.
The BJP leader was referring to Congress criticism of the all-vegetarian spread served at the gala dinner on Saturday. The Congress had alleged that the ruling party imposed its "deeply problematic" dietary preferences on dignitaries attending the summit.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, without directly referring to the BRICS dinner, had said that 80 per cent of Indians are non-vegetarian.
Trivedi said the Congress' comments reflected "triviality and pettiness", arguing that the party should have focused on diplomatic, strategic and economic issues surrounding the summit.
"Instead of commenting on diplomatic, strategic, or economic matters on such a serious political platform, they chose to comment on the food. This clearly demonstrates their inability to offer any substantive commentary on serious issues regarding BRICS," he said.
Hailing India's hosting of the 18th BRICS summit as a “significant diplomatic success”, Trivedi said the event demonstrated India's ability to navigate differences among member countries.
The dinner menu featured an array of vegetarian Indian dishes. Starters included 'Khandvi mille', a steamed gram-flour roll, and 'khumb galouti', pan-grilled mushroom kebabs with mint pearls.
The main course comprised 'paneer lababdar', 'gucchi marmik' with Himalayan morel mushrooms and tender asparagus, and 'carrot bean poriyal'. Millet pulao, beetroot raita, assorted Indian breads and other dishes were also served.
Desserts included 'Old Delhi fruit cream with jalebi' and 'shahtoot phirni'.
(With inputs from PTI)
