New Delhi: Congress on Saturday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his mention of his relationship with the United States in the latest tranche of Jeffrey Epstein files, saying it is "extremely shameful" and a "matter of national dignity and international reputation" for which the top BJP leader should owe an answer.
Sharing documents released by the US Department of Justice, the Congress asked Modi to spell out the "advice" he took from Epstein, a convicted sexual offender who died in an American jail, even as the Ministry of External Affairs described it as "little more than trashy ruminations by a convicted criminal" that deserves to be dismissed with the "utmost contempt".
Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh said the Prime Minister is mentioned "several times" and "many questions remain" though the official spokesperson has been "compelled to respond". In a post on 'X', he said, "This is getting even more scandalous. The PM's silence is unacceptable."
In its official handle, the Congress referred to an email by Epstein on 9 July, 2017 about the Prime Minister taking advice from him and "danced and sang in Israel for the benefit of the US President (Donald Trump). They had met a few weeks ago. It worked".
It claimed that Epstein wrote about giving advice to Modi three days after the Prime Minister's visit to Israel on July 4-6. Before the Israel visit on June 25-26,2017, it said, Modi also met Trump in the US.
"Now it is clear that Prime Minister Modi has a very deep and long-standing connection with Jeffrey Epstein, which is shameful for India. This is a matter of national dignity and international reputation, for which Prime Minister Modi must answer...PM Modi, the nation wants to know: What is your relationship with Jeffrey Epstein?," the Congress said.
Congress Media and Publicity Department Chairman Pawan Khera referred to Epstein's conversation with a former top Trump aide Steve Bannon in which a Modi aide is quoted as saying that no one in Washington speaks to the Prime Minister and that his "main enemy is China" whose proxy is Pakistan.
Khera said Epstein has told Bannon that Modi "totally aligns" with the latter's vision. Epstein also said that he could set up a meeting between Modi and Bannon, Khera said citing the disclosure.
"A few pertinent questions arise: 1. Why was Modi meeting a disgraceful American such as Epstein right around the 2019 elections? 2. Why was Modi lying to the country about his friendship with America when no one in "Wash" cared to speak to him? 3. Why did he, just a year later, after the Galwan crisis give a clean chit to his "main enemy" China?" Khera posted.
"What "vision" of the American media executive, political strategist, pundit - Steve Bannon - does Modi align with? 5. Was the proposed meeting between Bannon and Modi held? What was discussed?" he asked.