New Delhi: India beat Pakistan for a successive seventh time at the World Cup on Sunday, and people lined up with Twitter bouquets to congratulate Virat Kohli’s team – including many politicians. From BJP’s Sushma Swaraj to Congress’s Milind Deora, a sea of congratulatory messages flooded the social media site.
But before we get to some of them, first BJP’s Amit Malviya is sorely missing Congress President Rahul Gandhi and noted his absence on the first morning of the Parliament. Where art thou, Sir?
As the first session of the 17th Lok Sabha begins, Rahul Gandhi is nowhere to be seen. Such respect for India’s democracy!
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) June 17, 2019
‘Here I am’ replied Rahul Gandhi in a tweet as he took the oath at the Lok Sabha in the afternoon. You had us all worried there for a second, sir.
My 4th consecutive term as a Member of the #LokSabha begins today. Representing Wayanad, Kerala, I begin my new innings in Parliament by taking my oath this afternoon, affirming that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India ??
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 17, 2019
Back to the World Cup victory: Union Home Minister Amit Shah termed it “another strike” against Pakistan. This was a cricket match, sir, not a surgical strike or Balakot.
Another strike on Pakistan by #TeamIndia and the result is same.
Congratulations to the entire team for this superb performance.
Every Indian is feeling proud and celebrating this impressive win. #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/XDGuG3OiyK
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) June 16, 2019
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor provided on-the spot updates from Manchester, expressing his admiration for Indian and Pakistani supporters “mingling” as they cheered their respective teams and making waves with the “MexicanWave”.
About 98% of the crowd at #CWC19OldTrafford today were of subcontinental origin; one felt almost sorry for the handful of white faces lost among the sea of desis. Indian & Pak supporters mingled in the stands, cheered good-naturedly for their teams, did the MexicanWave together..
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 16, 2019
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan fell strangely silent after Pakistan cricket team captain Sarfraz Ahmed ignored his five-tweet thread of advice on tactics for the match. You might have practiced diplomacy, sir, and congratulated India on its victory.
5/5 3. Finally, even though India may be the favourites, banish all fear of losing. Just give your best and fight till the last ball. Then accept whatever the result like true sportsmen. The nation's prayers are with all of you. Good Luck.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) June 16, 2019
Meanhwhile, BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi trolled Imran Khan’s advice to “beat India with mental strength”. In a word, she was rude.
Lol bhai Karlo baat ? Mental strength from a state in coma ? Congratulations to the #MenInBlue!#INDvsPAK #indvspak2019 #ICCCricketWorldCup2019 https://t.co/zTpOjkIZsx
— Meenakashi Lekhi (@M_Lekhi) June 16, 2019
With only days left for the International Yoga Day, PM Modi has been showing us various yoga poses. BJP now wants us to also get real time updates about the PM `on the go’ with the Narendra Modi app.
Stay connected with PM Shri @narendramodi and get real time updates on the go through Narendra Modi App.
To download, give a missed call on 18002090920. pic.twitter.com/au4QIC3nPo
— BJP (@BJP4India) June 16, 2019
US President Donald Trump greeted fathers on the occasion of Father’s Day, Sunday but couldn’t resist taking a swipe at his critics too.
Happy Father’s Day to all, including my worst and most vicious critics, of which there are fewer and fewer. This is a FANTASTIC time to be an American! KEEP AMERICA GREAT!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 16, 2019
Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala turned philosophical about democracy dying in the daylight. Maybe you ought to start worrying about your party’s dying light, sir?
Democracy can die in daylight too!
‘Conditioning minds,
Building myths,
Deflecting attention,
Normalising the abnormal,
and
Poisoning the pool.’
Hope my journalists friends read it!!!https://t.co/gtQNiQMIEK
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) June 15, 2019
With the death toll due to encephalitis rising in Bihar, Shiv Sena deputy leader Priyanka Chaturvedi spoke about prompt action by the state and central government. Anyone listening?
93 kids dead, young lives lost to encephalitis in Bihar. It needs urgent attention of every Indian. Also an effective & immediate response from the state and central government.
Truly tragic. https://t.co/eqPEjj29YB
— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) June 17, 2019
BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav stated that the party did not win its historic mandate by dividing people in the name of caste and religion – it has demolished these tropes. Is this is `sabka vishwas’ in words and actions?
Ram Madhav, BJP National General Secretary in Mumbai: BJP did not come back to power with routine political play, we did not come back by dividing people in the name of caste and religion, polarisation or appeasement. In fact, we returned to power by demolishing all these.(14.06) pic.twitter.com/yzAHcnkNAa
— ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2019
With inputs from Revathi Krishnan