NEW DELHI: Another Lok Sabha speech. Another controversy. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday stoked a row once again firing salvos at the government during his Motion of Thanks to President’s address in Lok Sabha. Rahul’s remarks evoked very strong reactions from the BJP and also some NDA ministers who accused the Congress leader of making irresponsible statements.
In his speech, Rahul raised questions on Chinese intrusion stating that the Army chief had contradicted PM Modi on the issue, targeted Election Commission over electoral transparency alleging irregularities in Maharashtra’s voter rolls and also took swipes at Centre’s foreign policy suggesting that the foreign minister was sent to US to manage an invite for the Prime Minister. Rahul also claimed that the Prime Minister was “forced” to bow before the Constitution after the 2024 general election victory.
As expected, Rahul’s speech was interrupted several times by the treasury benches who accused the leader of the opposition of making unsubstantiated claims. As Rahul continued with his volley of charges, Speaker Om Birla interrupted him and said “You will have to present the evidence of what you are speaking in the House.”
‘Army chief contradicted PM Modi’
The Congress MP alleged that despite PM Modi’s denial, Chinese forces had occupied Indian territory. “Our armed forces are still holding talks with China over their intrusion. The Prime Minister has denied it, but our Chief of Army Staff has said that the Chinese are inside our territory,” he claimed.
“Our Chief of Army Staff has said that the Chinese are inside our territory. This is a fact. The reason China is inside our territory is important. The reason China is sitting inside this country is because ‘Make in India’ has failed. The reason China is sitting inside this country is because India is refusing to produce, and I’m worried that India is going to give up this revolution to the Chinese once again. If and when we fight a war with China, we will be fighting with Chinese electric motors, Chinese batteries and Chinese optics, and we will be buying Chinese motors, Chinese optics and Chinese batteries,” he added.
‘Foreign minister sent to US to get an invite for PM Modi’
Rahul took a swipe at the foreign policies of the Centre and said, “When we talk to the United States, we should not send our foreign minister to invite our Prime Minister to their coronation. If we had a strong industrial base, the American President would come here to invite our Prime Minister instead.”
’70 lakh voters added to Maha electoral rolls’
The Congress leader raised several questions over the integrity of the Maharashtra polls held in November last year in which the BJP-led Mahayuti won a massive mandate and took swipes at the Election Commission.
“Now, I want to bring to the notice of this House some data about Maharashtra polls. Between the Lok Sabha polls, which the INDIA bloc won, and the assembly elections, the number equivalent to the population of Himachal was added to the voting rolls of Maharashtra,” Rahul claimed and added that the difference between the Lok Sabha polls in June and the state polls in November was that almost 70 lakh voters had suddenly arrived in the state.
Why was CJI removed from CEC selection committee?’
The leader of the opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha lashed out at the Modi government, questioning the removal of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) from the selection committee that recommends the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other Election Commissioners, labelling it as a “calculated strategy”.
“Now in a few days, I’m going to go to the meeting. It will be PM Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and me, 2-1. Why even am I going to the meeting? I am only going there to certify what Modi and Amit Shah are going to say. Whereas if the Chief Justice was there, we could have a discussion. It seems to be a calculated strategy. Just before Lok Sabha, the Election Commissioner was changed and 2 new Election Commissioners were placed. We know that the election dates were changed and postponed. These are facts,” Gandhi said.
‘Great idea but damp squib’
The Congress leader in his speech made a rare praise for the ‘Make In India’ program, even commending the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing in the ‘good idea’ but then went to call it a ‘damp squib’.
“Prime Minister proposed the Make In India program. I think it was a good idea, however, the result is in front of you all, ” said the Congress MP. He slammed the NDA government for allowing manufacturing to decline from 15.3 per cent of the GDP in 2014 to 12.6 per cent, as of now.
“I am not blaming the Prime Minister, it would be wrong to say that he didn’t try. I could say that he tried but failed,” he added.
NDA ministers launch a fierce counterattack
The BJP leaders and several NDA ministers reacted sharply and strongly to Rahul’s claims. Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju led the charge inside the House and asked the Congress leader to substantiate his claims.
“Leader of Opposition cannot make such serious unsubstantiated statement. This is related to the relation between two countries and he is making an unverified statement about the invitation of the Prime Minister of our country,” Rijiju said.
‘Rahul Gandhi’s lies may be intended politically’
External affairs minister Jaishankar rejected the allegation made by Rahul that he was “sent to get an invite for our Prime Minister Narendra Modi” for Donald Trump’s inauguration as US President.
Jaishankar said that the Prime Minister of India does not attend such events, and is instead represented by a special envoy.
“Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi deliberately spoke a falsehood about my visit to the US in December 2024. I went to meet the Secretary of State and NSA of the Biden Administration. Also to chair a gathering of our Consuls General. During my stay, the incoming NSA-designate met with me,” Jaishankar said in a post on X.
Jaishankar said that Rahul Gandhi’s lies damage India at an international level.
“At no stage was an invitation in respect of the PM discussed. It is common knowledge that our PM does not attend such events. In fact, India is generally represented by Special Envoys, ” the minister said.
Jaishankar further said, “Rahul Gandhi’s lies may be intended politically. But they damage the nation abroad.”
This is not the first time that Rahul’s speech has triggered a row and is under scanner for its content. In his first speech as the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha in July last year, Rahul Gandhi had unleashed an offensive against PM Modi, Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, and even Speaker Om Birla leading to a huge storm both inside and outside the House. Later, some parts of his speech were expunged by the Speaker. The Congress leader reacted then by expressing shock and disappointment in a letter addressed to the Speaker.