• Source:JND
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India-Pakistan Match Row: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was left fuming after Pakistan’s cricket personality Shahid Afridi lauded the Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi for his ‘positive mindset’. But the comment, a latest development in the India-Pakistan match row, has led to backlash from the BJP, as the ruling party has accused Congress of allying with Pakistan and peddling its narrative.

Reacting to Afridi’s comment on the BJP and Rahul Gandhi, the BJP’s national spokesperson, Shehzad Poonawala, said that India haters find an ally with Rahul Gandhi and Congress.

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Sharing a chunk of the panel discussion held on Samma TV, Shahzad Poonawala wrote on X, “After Hafiz Saeed, now Shahid Afridi ( Terror apologist & India hater ) praises Rahul Gandhi… Not surprised! Everyone who hates India finds an ally in Rahul Gandhi & Congress. From Soros to Shahid …INC = Islamabad National Congress.”

The BJP leader further accused Congress of having friendly relations with the neighbouring country. He said that the Congress-Pakistan ‘yaarana’ is longstanding, with the party consistently echoing Pakistan's narrative on issues like Article 370, the 26/11 Mumbai attack, Pulwama, and Pahalgam.

During a panel discussion on the India-Pakistan match, Afridi accused the ruling government of playing the ‘religion card’ as he appreciated Rahul Gandhi for his ‘positive mindset’.

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“This government (In India) always plays the religion and Muslim-Hindu card to stay in power. This is a very bad mindset. Rahul Gandhi has a very positive mindset. He believes in dialogue. Is one Israel not enough that you are trying to become another?" Afridi said, as he kept his view during the panel discussion amid the ‘no handshake row’.

BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya also reacted to Afridi’s comment, questioning the ‘enemy’ country’s cheer for Rahul Gandhi. 

“Rabid Hindu-hater Shahid Afridi, who never misses a chance to spew venom against India and dream of Kashmir joining Pakistan, is suddenly all praise for Rahul Gandhi. Afridi says Rahul wants “dialogue" with Pakistan, while attacking PM Modi by comparing India’s policy on Pakistan to Israel’s actions in Gaza. Why is it that every India-hater finds a friend in Rahul Gandhi? When enemies of Bharat start cheering for you, the people of India know exactly where your loyalties lie," Malviya wrote on X.

The controversy erupted after opposition leaders and families of Pahalgam victims questioned the Government's decision to play a cricket match, the Asia Cup, with Pakistan, despite its alleged involvement in the Pahalgam terrorist attack, which killed 26 people.  

But Union Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the government's stand to play with Pakistan.

“If India does not play in the Asia Cup, then India will be out. The Olympics and the Asia Cup are not for Pakistan; it is for the whole world… If we do not go to the Olympics because of our enmity with a country, who will suffer the loss? So, this has to be understood. The sentiment is right, but there should be rational thinking behind the sentiment," he said.