Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and opposition parties, questioning the Congress leader’s electoral strength in Uttar Pradesh without the support of the Samajwadi Party (SP).
Speaking at a press conference in Lucknow, Singh claimed that Rahul Gandhi would not be able to win the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat without the backing of the Samajwadi Party. He also accused the Congress and its allies of using protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to create unrest and undermine democratic institutions rather than pursue electoral reforms.
Rajnath Singh Targets Congress and Its Allies
Singh alleged that the Congress and its opposition allies were attempting to weaken the country’s constitutional framework and damage India’s reputation.
He questioned the opposition’s intentions, arguing that its use of the term “regime change” indicated that its campaign was not genuinely aimed at electoral reforms.
The Defence Minister also accused Congress leaders of invoking Mahatma Gandhi’s name while compromising on moral principles.
According to Singh, the opposition’s protests against the Chief Election Commissioner and the SIR exercise were part of a broader political strategy rather than a genuine effort to improve the electoral system.
‘Can Rahul Gandhi Win Rae Bareli Without SP Support?’
Taking a direct swipe at Rahul Gandhi, Singh pointed to the Congress’s prolonged absence from power in Uttar Pradesh.
“The Congress has been out of power in Uttar Pradesh for 37 years. Is it because of work theft or vote theft?” Singh asked, challenging the Congress leader to demonstrate his electoral strength without the Samajwadi Party’s support.
He questioned whether Rahul Gandhi could secure victory in Rae Bareli independently, without relying on the SP’s backing.
The remarks come amid continuing political differences between the ruling BJP and opposition parties over electoral processes and the revision of voter lists.
Questions Congress’s Internal Unity
Singh also questioned the Congress’s claims that people continued to trust the party, alleging that its own leaders lacked confidence in one another.
Referring to the political situation in Uttar Pradesh, he claimed that Congress leaders were engaged in internal rivalries and were unwilling to trust their colleagues.
He asked whether the BJP was responsible for the alleged infighting within the state Congress unit.
The Defence Minister’s remarks are part of the BJP’s broader political criticism of the Congress and its allies, particularly over their electoral strategies, internal cohesion and objections to the SIR process.
The Congress and other opposition parties have raised concerns over electoral processes, while the BJP has defended its position and questioned the opposition’s motives.