The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, continued his criticism of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), claiming that the “fear of Prime Minister Narendra Modi” among the public has dissipated following the results of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
On his US visit, to address the Indian diaspora, Rahul Gandhi attacked the BJP in Herndon, Virginia, on Monday (local time).
The leader alleged that the BJP and PM Modi had created an atmosphere of fear by ‘creating pressure on small businesses’ through various agencies. He claimed that this fear had disappeared almost instantly after the election results were announced.
“Something has shifted since the elections. Some people said ‘Darr nahi lagta ab, dar nikal gaya ab' (We are not afraid anymore, the fear is gone now), said the leader at the rally.
Rahul Gandhi took a further jibe by stating how the BJP and PM Modi managed to instill so much fear over a period of years. The fear however, no longer stands, as it just “vanished within seconds”, said Gandhi, reported ANI.
“In Parliament, I see the Prime Minister right up front and I can tell you that the idea of Mr Modi, 56-inch chest, direct connection with God, that’s all gone now, it’s is all history now,” further added Rahul Gandhi.
Rahul Gandhi hinted at how Modi had attempted to create a towering impression of himself during the polls. Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2024, PM Modi led Bharatiya Janata Party had campaigned along the lines of “Abki baar 400 paar". The BJP Had expected to cross the majority mark by winning 400 seats.
The Election results, declared on June 4, 2024, however, revealed otherwise. The BJP failed to get majority, and ended up winning 240 seats. Meanwhile, the Congress jumped to 99 seats, with the Opposition garnering a total of 293 seats, thus weakening BJP's claims.
Rahul Gandhi also met with students at Georgetown University before attending the diaspora event in Virginia. He will also spend two days in Washington before returning to Delhi.
The Lok Sabha Opposition leader further alleged that BJP fails to understand the Constitution of India, which states “Bharat is a union state.”
"The BJP doesn't understand that this country is of everyone... India is a union. In the Constitution, it is written clearly... India that is Bharat is a union state, histories, tradition music and dance. They (BJP) say it is not a union, it is different," the Congress leader alleged.
Rahul Gandhi's continued criticisms of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the BJP in the US, has elicited criticism from BJP leaders and its allies. They accused the Congress leader of “promoting” China and “undermining” India abroad and labelled him as a "black spot" in Indian democracy, reported ANI.
