BJP questions Rahul Gandhi’s frequent Vietnam trips, seeks disclosure and intent

The party argued that such undisclosed travels were inappropriate for the Leader of the Opposition and raised concerns over "national security."

BJP's national IT cell head, Amit Malviya, took to X to question the Congress on Gandhi's "frequent" foreign visits.

"As the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi holds a crucial position, and his numerous clandestine trips abroad, especially while Parliament is in session, raise serious questions about propriety and national security," he said.

At a press briefing earlier in the day, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad remarked on Gandhi’s "extraordinary fondness for Vietnam," calling the frequency of his visits to the country "curious."

"One heard Rahul Gandhi is in Vietnam during Holi, after being there for the New Year as well. He is spending more time in Vietnam than in his constituency. He needs to explain his extraordinary fondness for Vietnam," Prasad said, reported India Today.

Gandhi’s latest trip to Vietnam comes amid the Budget session of Parliament, following a previous visit during the seven-day mourning period for former Prime Minister and senior Congress leader Manmohan Singh.

His trip to Vietnam after Singh's passing on December 26 had already drawn sharp criticism, with the BJP accusing him of leaving for New Year’s celebrations while the "country was mourning Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s demise."

"Rahul Gandhi politicised and exploited Dr. Singh’s death for his expedient politics, but his contempt for him is unmissable," Malviya had stated.

Defending Gandhi’s travels, Congress leader Harish Rawat previously explained that the visits were for studying Vietnam's economic model. "He has gone there to study their economic model," Rawat said.