BJP stages black-flag protest as Rahul Gandhi arrives in Mumbai
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi travelled to Bhiwandi to appear in a 2014 defamation case as BJP supporters staged protests along his route in Mumbai. The LoP got down at CSMIA before leaving for Bhiwandi by road
Amritpal Singh Sanhotra 
Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, arrived in Mumbai during the early hours of Saturday. As soon as the LoP landed in Mumbai, BJP workers staged a black-flag protest, calling it a response to the Youth Congress`s protest at the AI Summit.
Gandhi landed at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in the morning and travelled by road to Bhiwandi in neighbouring Thane district to appear before a court in the 2014 defamation case, reported PTI.
While Rahul was on his way to Bhiwandi from Mumbai, a group of BJP supporters staged a protest at Mulund toll naka and raised slogans against him.
Speaking to the media on Saturday, the protesters alleged that Gandhi consistently opposes the initiatives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and accused him of tarnishing the country`s image.
One of the BJP supporters slamming Rahul Gandhi said, "Rahul Gandhi continuously opposes whatever the Prime Minister does. Even on issues concerning the nation. The Youth Congress workers raised slogans at the AI Summit, maligning India`s image. That is why we protested against him," as cited by news agency PTI.
Furthermore, the police had made elaborate security arrangements for Gandhi`s visit to prevent any confrontation between workers of the ruling and opposition parties.
Congress slams BJP over protest against Rahul Gandhi in Mumbai
Meanwhile, Congress leader Sachin Sawant termed the BJP protest as "an attempt to divert attention from key national issues". The Congress leader further accused the ruling party of resorting to theatrics, as it had no answers for the public.
He questioned the reasons behind what he termed the BJP`s "surrender" before US President Donald Trump and sought clarity on matters related to financier Jeffrey Epstein, saying the party owed an explanation to the people.
Sawant also alleged that the BJP had compromised the future of farmers in Maharashtra and the country by placing their interests at stake in the trade deal with the US.
NCP (SP) also slams BJP
The Nationalist Congress Party (SP) also hit out at the `black flag` protest, calling it a "disrespectful" departure from democratic norms.
NCP (SP) Thane city chief Manoj Pradhan said, "Rahul Gandhi holds a constitutional post as the Leader of the Opposition in the country`s highest house. It is fundamentally wrong to show black flags to him in such a manner. This is not how a democracy should function."
(With inputs from PTI)
