NEW DELHI: BJP on Wednesday attacked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his statement that his party was now battling not only the RSS and BJP but also the Indian State, alleging that leader of opposition’s remarks are a part of billionaire philanthropist George Soros’s agenda.
BJP chief JP Nadda accused Rahul Gandhi and his network of having close ties with urban Naxals and the deep state, claiming they aim to tarnish India’s reputation.
Responding to Rahul Gandhi’s statement, Nadda said in a post on X, “I ‘compliment’ Rahul Gandhi for saying clearly what the nation knows- that he is fighting the Indian state! It is not a secret that Gandhi and his ecosystem have close links with Urban Naxals and the Deep State who want to defame, demean and discredit India. His repeated actions have also strengthened this belief. Everything he has done or said has been in the direction of breaking India and dividing our society.”
Sharing a video clip of Rahul Gandhi’s speech, BJP IT department head Amit Malviya said, “Rahul Gandhi has now declared an open war against the Indian State itself. This is straight out of George Soros’s playbook.”
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman also targeted Rahul Gandhi over his comments, saying, “The LoP, who was sworn in by taking oath on the Constitution, is now saying, “We are now fighting the BJP, the RSS and the Indian State itself.” So, what for are you carrying a copy of the constitution in your hand?”
Rahul’s remarks trigger row
Addressing Congress leaders during the inauguration of the party’s new headquarters at Kotla Road, New Delhi, Rahul said, “Do not think we are fighting a fair fight. There is no fairness in this. If you believe that we are fighting a political organisation called the BJP or the RSS, you have not understood what is going on. The BJP and the RSS have captured every single institution of our country. We are now fighting the BJP, the RSS, and the Indian state itself.”
During his address, Rahul also expressed concerns over alleged irregularities in the Maharashtra elections. He pointed to a sudden rise of nearly one crore voters between the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha polls, calling it “problematic.”
“I clearly stated that something went wrong in the Maharashtra elections. We are uncomfortable with the way the Election Commission operates,” the Congress leader said. He accused the Election Commission of withholding crucial information, particularly the voters’ list with names and addresses, which he said was critical for ensuring transparency.
“Why would the Election Commission refuse to make the voters’ list transparent? What purpose does it serve by not providing this information? It is their sacred responsibility to explain why this has happened,” Rahul said.
Rahul calls Bhagwat’s statement on Independence ‘treason’
Rahul also targeted RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in his speech, who recently claimed that India achieved “true independence” after the construction of the Ram temple. Rahul described Bhagwat’s statement as “treason” and an insult to the country’s independence movement.
“Mohan Bhagwat’s assertion about India not gaining independence in 1947 disrespects all Indians. To say this publicly is treason, as it suggests the Constitution and the fight against British colonialism were invalid,” Rahul said. He further remarked that such statements should warrant legal action in any other democratic country.
Rahul added, “The Congress Party has worked with the Indian people to build the success of this country, and it has done so on the foundation of the Constitution. It is about time we stop listening to this nonsense and hold these individuals accountable for their words.”