The BJP has sharply criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi following his claim that the opposition is not merely fighting the BJP but the Indian state itself. BJP President JP Nadda accused the Congress of working with forces that seek to weaken India, emphasizing the party’s alleged history of prioritizing power over national integrity.
“Congress has a history of encouraging all those forces who want a weak India. Their greed for power meant compromising the nation’s integrity and betraying the trust of the people. But the people of India are wise. They have decided they will always reject Mr. Rahul Gandhi and his rotten ideology,” Nadda said in a statement.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also condemned Gandhi’s remarks, alleging they were part of a broader conspiracy. “Rahul Gandhi has openly stated that by fighting Modi and BJP, he is now fighting with India and the Indian state. This is not a coincidence but a pre-planned experiment and a sponsored agenda by George Soros,” Poonawalla said.
The BJP’s ally, the JD(U), joined the criticism. Party leader Rajiv Ranjan Prasad dismissed Congress’ allegations against the BJP, stating, “The blotted past of Congress does not allow it to raise such questions. Congress has made similar claims before, but they were rejected in Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections across states. The truth is that people are witnessing increased respect for constitutional institutions.”
The controversy stems from remarks made by Rahul Gandhi during the inauguration of Congress’ new headquarters, Indira Bhawan. Gandhi alleged that the Congress and other opposition parties are not only battling the BJP and RSS but also the Indian state.
“Our ideology, like the RSS ideology, is thousands of years old, and it has been opposing the RSS for centuries. Do not think we are fighting a fair fight. The BJP and RSS have captured every single institution in this country. We are not just fighting a political organization; we are fighting the BJP, the RSS, and the Indian state itself,” Rahul Gandhi said.
He went on to criticize the state of India’s democratic institutions and media. “There is no clarity on whether our institutions are functioning. The media is no longer free or fair, and people know this,” he stated.
Gandhi also raised concerns about the Election Commission, alleging irregularities in the Maharashtra elections. “Something went wrong in the Maharashtra elections. We are uncomfortable with the way the Election Commission operates. The sudden appearance of nearly one crore new voters between the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections in Maharashtra is problematic. It is the EC’s responsibility to provide a clear voter list,” he said.
The BJP has dismissed these allegations, with several leaders asserting that Gandhi’s statements are baseless and reflect the Congress’ desperation. The ongoing Delhi Assembly election campaign has further intensified the clash between the two parties, with both accusing each other of undermining democratic institutions.
As campaigning heats up ahead of the February 5 Delhi polls, political rhetoric between the BJP and Congress is expected to escalate further. The ruling AAP, which is also in the fray, has announced its candidates for all 70 seats, while Congress and BJP are vying to regain lost ground. Counting of votes is scheduled for February 8.
