New Delhi, Oct 9 (PTI) The BJP on Friday criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on Elon Musk’s Starlink, asserting that spectrum allocation in India would be carried out strictly in accordance with the law and without discrimination.
BJP leader Ram Madhav said India was not a “banana republic” and all decisions regarding spectrum allocation would be taken under the rule of law. He said companies such as Jio, Airtel and Starlink were waiting for spectrum allocation.
“Those whom he is alluding to as oligarchs and the like are also waiting for spectrum allocation. Whether it’s Jio or Airtel, they are all in line with Starlink and waiting,” he told reporters.
Madhav also targeted Gandhi, questioning the Congress leader’s response to the issue. “He was telling all of us to surrender before Elon Musk and Trump, that you are a party that surrenders. So what happened now that they themselves are surrendering so much? Why are they getting so impatient that Elon Musk is facing any difficulty?” he said.
Referring to Congress leader Jairam Ramesh’s earlier remarks on Starlink, Madhav said the party had previously described the satellite internet service as a threat to national security but was now appearing to support Musk.
“Just a few months ago, their own leader Jairam Ramesh was saying that Elon Musk’s Starlink is a threat to the country’s security. Their advisors were also calling it a threat to national security. So how did they suddenly become ‘Surrender Gandhi’?” he said.
Madhav alleged that the Congress was trying to please Musk and questioned whether the party had received anything in return for its changed stance.
“What did they get that those who were accusing us just yesterday have suddenly jumped into serving Elon Musk today?” he asked.
He also accused the Congress-led UPA government of corruption in spectrum allocation, alleging that spectrum had been sold recklessly during its tenure.
“Rahul Gandhi and the Congress Party should understand full well that during their UPA government, there was massive corruption regarding spectrum, and spectrum was sold in a completely reckless manner,” he said.
“But this is the Modi government; here everything will happen strictly according to rules, regulations, and law. Whoever is to get it will get it without any discrimination… no matter how much ‘Surrender Gandhi’ tries to please Elon Musk,” Madhav added.
“I don’t know how Rahul Gandhi ji suddenly fell so much in love with Elon Musk. No matter how much effort they make, the decision will be according to the law and India’s rules,” he said.
“As the Prime Minister ji clearly stated yesterday, the decision will be taken keeping in mind the security of mobiles, network security, spectrum, and the country’s national security. The government has already issued its clarification on this matter,” he said.
The Indian government on Thursday rejected allegations that Starlink’s satellite internet services were being blocked by domestic business interests, leading Musk to ask if “Ambani is the real boss of India”.
Earlier, Musk had put out a post on X, saying, “Starlink is licensed in over 165 countries and has spent five years complying with every single law and requirement of the government of India, so why still no license?” “Is Ambani the real boss of India?” Musk asked.
He later thanked Rahul Gandhi for his response. “Thank you, Rahul. This is indeed troubling,” Musk said in response to Gandhi’s post. PTI KSH
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