Is India doing business with Islamic State in Libya? Congress leader Manish Tewari asks

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Manish Tewari on Saturday questioned whether India was "doing business" with militant outfit Islamic State in Libya.

"Happy two Indians released in Sirte, Libya. Pray for others. Question- since (Foreign Minister) Sushma Swaraj claiming credit - is India doing business with IS in Libya," Manish Tewari tweeted on Saturday.

"Since foreign minister seems to have direct "hotline" to IS or ISIS in Libya what happened to 57 people from Punjab, are they dead or alive FM," Manish Tewari asked in another tweet.

Condemning Congress leader Manish Tewari for his controversial tweet, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday said "this method of speaking with a forked tongue" is normally seen in Pakistan.

"This method of speaking with a forked tongue, one normally sees in Pakistan. I am surprised when senior leaders of the Congress Party are using that kind of language," BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli told ANI.

"At one side you are expressing happiness about the release of two Indians, and on the other side, you are raising questions on the government which secured the release," he added.

"It raises questions in one's mind as to why does the Congress Party feel unhappy or perturbed when the Government of India achieves something for Indian citizens; whether it was the rescue in Yemen, Libya and or a Christian priest from Afghanistan from the Taliban. Now, these two people from Karnataka who are released? Why does the Congress Party constantly want to run down the achievements of Government of India which is in favour of the Indian citizen? Like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna, an insurance scheme," Kohli added.

Kohli said pretty soon the Congress Party may be considered anti-development and anti growth, and suggested that the latter should make its stand clear.

"The Congress Party needs to make its stand clear. Otherwise, they will be seen as one who celebrates failure and their politics will only be built on the basis of being anti-development, anti-growth," he said.

The families of the two Indians kidnapped in Libya are worried over their safety as there is no information about their well-being.

Though two others hailing from Karnataka were released on Friday, there is still no official word about the two Telugu men reportedly in the captivity of the Islamic State. (With inputs from agencies)