As BJP piled up attacks on Rahul Gandhi for his remarks on India-China military clashes, the Congress on Saturday asked the Narendra Modi government when it will have a 'China pe Charcha', accusing it of running away from a discussion on the border row.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge led the counter attack from the front while party General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh posed seven questions to the Prime Minister saying it is Modi's "political duty and moral responsibility" to share his "mann ki baat" on the queries.
The war of words followed after the BJP demanded Rahul's expulsion from Congress for his remarks on Saturday that Indian soldiers were being beaten up by Chinese soldiers in Arunachal Pradesh.
At a press conference in Jaipur on Friday, Rahul said China has taken 2,000 square km of Indian land while soldiers are martyred and beaten up. He also said China is in full preparation for a war and not just incursion even as New Delhi is trying to hide and ignoring the threat from the neighbour.
Kharge said the Chinese build-up in Doklam is threatening the strategic "Siliguri Corridor" -- the gateway to northeastern states.
"This is of utmost concern for our national security! Narendramodi-ji, When will the nation have...'CHINA PE CHARCHA'?" Kharge tweeted, in a swipe at Modi's campaign initiative "chai pe charcha."
Ramesh issued a statement that the "nation wants to know" Modi's "mann ki baat" on the seven questions the Congress was asking him. "Why are you insisting that there should be no debate in Parliament on the border situation and the challenges we face from China," he asked.
In another query, he said, "You have met the top Chinese leadership an unprecedented 18 times and recently shook hands with Xi Jinping in Bali. China launched an incursion into Tawang shortly thereafter and continues to unilaterally alter the border situation. Why are you not taking the nation into confidence?"
Modi was also asked to respond to the question about the reason behind him claiming on 20 June, 2020 that there has been no incursion by China into Indian territory in eastern Ladakh.
"Why have you allowed the Chinese to stop our troops from accessing thousands of square kilometres in eastern Ladakh where we were regularly patrolling prior to May 2020?" he said.
Congress also sought an explanation on why the plan approved by the Cabinet on 17 July, 2013 to establish a Mountain Strike Corps. "Why have you allowed Chinese companies to contribute to the PM CARES Fund? Why have you allowed imports from China to zoom to record levels in the last two years?" he said in other questions.