The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, set off a hornet’s nest by saying that Congress was fighting an adversary not represented by the mere BJP but, in fact, by the “Indian state.” At a function to give a new house to Congress-at Akbar Road, the newly-crowned president rained blistering attacks on the BJP and the RSS for hijacking every institution in the country.
“Do not think this is a fair fight. There is nothing fair in this. If you think we are just fighting against the BJP or the RSS as an organization, you have not understood it. The BJP and the RSS have penetrated every institution in this country. We are fighting not just the BJP, not just the RSS, but the Indian State itself,” said an emphatic Gandhi.
The Congress leader did not mince words as he attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying his government wants to “snuff out” the voice of Dalits, minorities, backward castes, and tribals.
The BJP was quick to react, saying Gandhi’s remarks expose the “sickeningly ugly truth” of the Congress party. Union Minister and BJP Chief JP Nadda lashed out at Gandhi, insinuating that he and his “ecosystem” retain links with “urban naxals” and the alleged “Deep State,” which he said is trying to “defame, demean, and discredit” India.
“The ugly truth about Congress has been brought out by their own leader. I commend Rahul Gandhi for saying what the nation knows-he is standing in opposition to the Indian state! His relentless actions have reinforced this belief, showing a consistent design at breaking India and dividing society,” Nadda tweeted.
The BJP has used the term ‘urban naxals’ to target every voice of dissent and anti-establishment protests. BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman too attacked Gandhi as Malviya said, “Rahul Gandhi has openly declared war against the Indian State. This completely plays into George Soros’ playbook.” American-Hungarian billionaire investor George Soros has been accused by the BJP of attempting to destabilize the government.
The senior Congress leader, however, defended the statements of Mr. Gandhi, pointing to the weakening of the trustworthiness of such institutions as the Election Commission of India. “It’s crystal clear that the Centre is systematically demolishing constitutional bodies. We demand transparency and accountability. Questions posed in and outside Parliament must be answered. All constitutional organisations must be impartial, transparent and credible,” said Pilot.
