New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday came down heavily on Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi for opposing the Great Nicobar Island infrastructure project, accusing them of leaving no stone unturned to sabotage the project. The ruling party termed the National Green Tribunal’s endorsement of the initiative as a victory for truth and thwarting their destructive attempts.Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy claimed, “On the instructions of international collaborators, the mother-son duo of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi went to great lengths to sabotage the Greater Nicobar mega infrastructure project worth approximately Rs 80,000 crore.”India currently relies heavily on foreign ports for transshipment, he said, adding that the project aims to build an international transshipment terminal, an international airport, a power plant and a town, taking advantage of its proximity to the Straits of Malacca.“At this point, another attempt by the Gandhis has failed,” he said, referring to their opposition to alleged environmental damage.Sonia Gandhi wrote in a newspaper article last year that the project had caused “an ecological disaster” and a “grave disaster” that violated tribal rights and legal procedures. Rahul Gandhi responded to her statement, saying it highlighted “the injustice suffered by the people of Nicobar and their fragile ecosystem”.The central government has rejected these criticisms, claiming that the project will not harm or displace indigenous tribes and will help counter China’s expansionist plans. Reddy said the proposed hub would cater to the demand for east-west cargo routes and highlighted NGT’s endorsement of safeguards.“While Prime Minister Narendra Modi has devoted his life to building a strong Atmanibar and Vikshit Bharat, many have tried to hinder India’s development journey. However, those who oppose India will continue to fail,” he said.
