- Monday, January 13, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
A major row erupted over the invitation card of a seminar organised by the India-China Friendship Association in the southern state of Karnataka on Saturday (27) after the event’s invitation card mentioned the name of Siddaramaiah, a former chief minister of the state and a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress and the current leader of the opposition as one of the chief guests.
The topic of the seminar scheduled in state capital Bengaluru for Sunday (28) was ‘Interference of US imperialist in the internal affairs of the People’s Republic of China’ (interference though read ‘Interferance’ and imperialist as ‘Imperilist’) and it also featured a Chinese photographic exhibition.
As the invitation caused a major outrage with the state’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing the Congress of working for China, a country with which India doesn’t have the best of terms, Siddaramaiah said he refused to take part in the event citing ideological differences.
The veteran leader also said that he was surprised to see his name featured in the list of guests. In a tweet, he said, “Although I refused to participate in the program organized by India-China Friendship Association on Sunday, I was surprised to see my name in the invitation letter.”
“I am not participating in the program as ideologically my stand and that of our party is against the purpose of the program,” he clarified.
I had declined the invitation of India-China Friendship Association to participate in their event which will be held tomorrow. It is surprising to see my name despite declining it.
I declined to participate as my party's & my position are against the agenda of the program. pic.twitter.com/TmsrazwBTD
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) August 27, 2022
However, the former chief minister’s defence did not convince the critics. Karnataka BJP leader CT Ravi attacked the BJP in a tweet, saying, “If anyone had any doubt that CONgress works for China, this will clear their doubt,” BJP leader CT Ravi tweeted attacking the Congress. Siddaramaiah clarified that he had declined the invitation for the event scheduled tomorrow. “It is surprising to see my name despite declining it,” he tweeted. The tweet also contained a picture of top Congress leaders such as Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi with Chinese president Xi Jinping.
If anyone had any doubt that CONgress works for China, this will clear their doubt.
Why should CONgress side with China if America is interfering in its internal affairs?
Is this MoU signed by Rahul Gandhi with Chinese Communist Party the reason behind this support to China? pic.twitter.com/ZeeD2KAnLq
— C T Ravi ?? ಸಿ ಟಿ ರವಿ (@CTRavi_BJP) August 27, 2022
This is not the first time that the BJP has accused the opposition Congress of keeping secret relations with people from China. In 2020, BJP national president JP Nadda alleged that former Congress president Rahul Gandhi met the Chinese ambassador to India secretly while the Indian troops were locking horns with the Chinese over Doklam and said the latter’s love for the country was fake.
India has grown closer with the US during the tenure of prime minister Narendra Modi and has joined multilateral forums such as Quad including the US and others which Beijing accuses as a tool to contain its rise.
New Delhi and Beijing have seen a number of lows in recent times, including clashes in eastern Ladakh; the latter’s alleged backing to Pakistan and other diplomatic rows.
The social media was also vocal over the controversy around Siddaramaiah’s name featuring among the chief guests for the India-China Friendship Association event. The errors in spelling were also not overlooked.
Here are some:
Senior @INCKarnataka leaders will officially protest the ‘interferance’ of US ‘imperilist’ in the internal affairs of China tomorrow. It is not about spellings, but has @siddaramaiah checked his party’s official line? Each unto his own in @INCIndia. pic.twitter.com/9dGGNkvzzJ
— Sugata Srinivasaraju (@sugataraju) August 27, 2022
Take a bow @siddaramaiah avare. Protesting against America for their interference in China’s internal matters?! Wah. You never protested when China poke it’s nose into Indian affairs. Great leadership. pic.twitter.com/OQnQVQC2yS
— Chakravarty Sulibele (@astitvam) August 27, 2022
Why is Former CM of Karnataka, Senior Congress leader @siddaramaiah the Chief Guest at an event that is discussing the interference of America in the internal affairs of China?? pic.twitter.com/0yKXLbtZ1B
— Priti Gandhi – प्रीति गांधी (@MrsGandhi) August 27, 2022
The former CM and Deputy CM of Karnataka are scheduled to speak in an event – DEFENDING the biggest threat to India?? Was @siddaramaiah tricked into this or has logic left @INCIndia along with multiple leaders????
Either way – speaks volumes about how clueless the Congress is. https://t.co/SsSdvzZIRr— The DeshBhakt ?? (@TheDeshBhakt) August 27, 2022
