India / Will Mr Modi hold another 'Namaste Trump!' rally: Chidambaram

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram this morning asked if Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold another 'Namaste Trump!' rally to honour his dear friend", a day after the American President raised questions over the credibility of India's COVID-19 tally, claiming that it was among the countries that do not accurately disclose the number of deaths due to the pandemic. Mr Trump also referred to India over climate change, saying it is one of the countries that "sends up real dirt into the air".

Chidambaram on Thursday took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi in reference to the COVID numbers remark made by US President Donald Trump in his first presidential debate with Joe Biden on Tuesday. Trump had said India and China do not accurately disclose numbers on COVID-19 deaths. 

Mr Donald Trump clubs India with China and Russia and accused the three countries of hiding the number of COVID deaths

He also accused the three countries for causing the most air pollution.

Will Mr Modi hold another ‘Namaste Trump!’ rally to honour his dear friend?

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) October 1, 2020

"Mr Donald Trump clubs India with China and Russia and accused the three countries of hiding the number of COVID deaths. He also accused the three countries for causing the most air pollution. Will Mr Modi hold another ‘Namaste Trump!’ rally to honour his dear friend?" Chidambaram tweeted in reference to the grand welcome New Delhi accorded to the US president during his India visit early this year. 

During the first round of the US Presidential debate, Mr Trump defended his response against coronavirus, which has affected over seven million people in the country, as Democratic challenger Joe Biden said: "Seven million (have) contracted the virus. The President has no plan."

Mr Trump has repeatedly blamed China, where the coronavirus first emerged in December last year and spread around the world, killing over one million and infecting more than 30 million people.

The Congress leader also drew comparisons between Trump and Modi in another tweet. "“In 47 months I have done more than you have in 47 years” said Mr Donald Trump in the Presidential debate yesterday. If the statement reminds you of someone in India, that’s your imagination!" Chidambaram tweeted in a veiled reference to the Indian prime minister. 

The Congress leader further stated, ""No one killed Jessica" was the anguished cry a few years ago, "No one demolished the mosque" is the anguished cry today. The trial court's verdict defies logic and common sense, besides denying the conclusions of the Supreme Court."