Cambridge Analytica row: Govt 'invented' story on Congress, data theft to divert attention from Iraq deaths, says Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi: Launching a stinging attack against the government, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said it invented a story on data theft by the Congress to divert attention from the death of 39 Indians in Iraq.

The Congress president also accused the government of baiting the media.

“Problem: 39 Indians dead; Government on the mat, caught lying. Solution: Invent story on Congress and Data Theft. Result: Media networks bite bait; 39 Indians vanish from radar. Problem solved,” he said on Twitter.

Problem: 39 Indians dead; Govt on the mat, caught lying.

Solution: Invent story on Congress & Data Theft.

Result: Media networks bite bait; 39 Indians vanish from radar.

Problem solved.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 22, 2018

The Congress has been accusing the government of managing headlines to deflect the country’s focus from the multi-crore PNB bank scam, the dilution of provisions of the SC/ST Atrocities Act and questions being raised by the families of those killed in Iraq.

Adding to the chorus of Congress criticism, the party’s communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala said the government had lied to the families of the 39 Indians about their loved ones being alive even after evidence suggested they were killed years ago.

He also asked why the Modi government “misled” the country for four years on the killing of 39 Indians after their kidnapping in Mosul of Iraq.

“Families ask questions - Why did Modi Government and Sushmaji mislead them for 4 yrs? Why does the Government not reveal the date of death? What evidence did the EAM have of them being alive for all these years? Why is Government not agreeable to compensating the families?" Surjewala wrote on Twitter .

“Another lie, Another spin exposed as truth unravels on Mosul Tragedy. All 39 Indians had died years ago as the evidence and witnesses suggested and corroborated now by Martyrs Foundation. Yet Modi Government lied, duped and deceived the families and the Nation!” Surjewala said in another tweet .

Follow LIVE updates on the Cambridge Analytica row here