The BJP has launched a strong criticism against Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and the Congress, highlighting the party’s internal dissent. This comes as veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar distanced himself from Rahul Gandhi, sparking fresh debates within the party. Aiyar’s comments predicting a third term for Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan have added to the ongoing political churn within the Congress.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla emphasized that dissent within the Congress is not limited to Aiyar’s remarks. He pointed out that senior Congress leaders in Assam are contemplating leaving the party, and there are reports of dissatisfaction among Congress allies like the Trinamool Congress. Poonawalla also mentioned concerns expressed by other allies such as the Aam Aadmi Party, DMK, Samajwadi Party, and JMM regarding Rahul Gandhi’s leadership.
According to Poonawalla, there is a widespread lack of confidence in Rahul Gandhi among both party members and alliance partners. He accused Rahul Gandhi of lacking a mandate and highlighted the growing number of Congress veterans expressing no-confidence against him. Poonawalla further criticized the Congress for what he termed as “double standards” on nationalism, alleging that the party questions national symbols while endorsing slogans considered provocative.
The BJP spokesperson contrasted the BJP-led NDA with the DMK-Congress alliance in Tamil Nadu, describing the former as a “strong alliance” with a clear vision for the state. In contrast, he characterized the DMK-Congress alliance as lacking direction and driven by internal divisions and power ambitions. Poonawalla also highlighted internal tensions within the Congress, citing demands for power-sharing and seat allocations by leaders like Manickam Tagore, which have reportedly not been met by the DMK chief M.K. Stalin.
