Rahul Gandhi faces sharp criticism for skipping farewell dinner for PM

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi is being sharply criticised for skipping his mother Sonia Gandhi's farewell dinner for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

While the Congress leadership strongly defended Rahul Gandhi for skipping the farewell dinner, several opposition leaders criticised him for showing disrespect to an outgoing prime minister.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said: "Rahul Gandhi is a foreigner, he comes to India for a holiday. When he is done, he goes back to his foreign home."

"Results in May 16th will disappoint Rahul Gandhi...this is the reason why he has gone away to a foreign land," he added.

He further said: " Maybe he's (Rahul Gandhi) preparing to stay abroad, he had gone to hide his disappointment."

BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain said: "Rahulji can't take out time to attend the PM's farewell dinner, its unfortunate, especially when Soniaji was hosting the dinner."

"Like Sonia Gandhi insulted Sitaram Kesri, Rahul Gandhi insulted PM Manmohan Singh by missing the farewell dinner," added BJP leader Tarun Vijay.

AAP leader Ashutosh said: "Rahul Gandhi's absence baffles me, he should've matured by now."

The dinner was hosted by Sonia Gandhi at her 10 Janpath residence just two days before the counting of votes on May 16 .'

Union ministers and Congress general secretaries attended the dinner last night.

A momento signed by all the Congress Working Committee members was handed over by Sonia Gandhi to Dr. Singh to express their appreciation for his stewardship of the UPA Government for a decade.

Dr. Singh on Tuesday bid his staff farewell, just days before he is scheduled to demit the office that he occupied for a decade.

Thanking the staff in South Block, where the Prime Minister's office is located, Dr. Singh said they had all served the nation well, and wished them all success in their future endeavours.

"You have served the nation well. God bless you," he said.