New Delhi, 15 September (H.S.): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Bansuri Swaraj has criticised the Congress over Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s absence from the BRICS dinner. She said ideological differences were natural in politics, but at international forums, political differences should be set aside and national interest given priority.

In a statement, Bansuri Swaraj said that according to reports, chief ministers of the states had been invited to the BRICS dinner. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy had also been invited and was reportedly prepared to attend the event. However, she said, he did not turn up due to political compulsions.

Questioning the decision, Swaraj asked whether the Congress, in its opposition to the BJP, had now started opposing ‘Maa Bharati’ as well. She described the development as extremely unfortunate and shameful.

She said that in a democracy, it was natural for the ruling party and the opposition to criticise each other’s policies. However, at international forums, national interest should be accorded the highest priority.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar