Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi has come out in praise of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, claiming that the latter has a "positive mindset,"—a move that attracted fierce criticism from the BJP.
Speaking to Samaa TV during a discussion on Asia Cup in which Pakistan suffered a humiliating defeat against India, the former cricketer, who has often been critical of the Narendra Modi-led Union government, claimed that Rahul Gandhi wants "dialogue to move forward ... but these guys."
Calling the Congress leader a man with a positive mindset, Afridi claimed that the BJP-led government plays the religious card to come to power and called it a nasty mindset. According to him, the BJP plays the divisive Hindu-Muslim card to come to power in the elections.
He accused the Indian government of trying to be another Israel.
The BJP came out all guns blazing against the remarks, with party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla,\ claiming that "everyone who hates India finds an ally in Rahul Gandhi and Congress."
"Rabid Hindu-hater" Shahid Afridi, who never misses a chance to spew venom against India and dream of Kashmir joining Pakistan, is suddenly all praise for Rahul Gandhi, observed Amit Malviya.
Why is it that every India-hater finds a friend in Rahul Gandhi, he sought to know.