Washington: Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition and senior Congress leader, delivered a sharp critique of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during an address to the Indian diaspora in Dallas, Texas, in the United States on Monday. Gandhi claimed that the fear of the ruling BJP, which had loomed large in Indian politics, dissipated following the recent Lok Sabha election results.
In the 2024 elections, the BJP’s seat count plummeted from 303 to 240, necessitating coalition support to form a government. Gandhi noted that this shift marked a significant change in the political landscape, as the fear of the BJP quickly vanished once the election results were announced.
During his speech, Gandhi emphasized the concept of Abhayamudra, a symbol of fearlessness present in various religions, and criticized the BJP for its failure to grasp this principle. He asserted, “The fear of the BJP evaporated immediately after the election results were declared. Nobody in India was afraid of the BJP or the Prime Minister anymore.”
Gandhi highlighted the role of the Opposition as the true representative of the people’s concerns, stating, “Our main focus is to address the issues that matter to the people of India.”
Re-elected to the Lok Sabha from Rae Bareli in 2024, Gandhi contrasted his party’s vision for India with that of the BJP’s ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He stated, “The RSS views India as a singular idea, while we see it as a collection of diverse ideas. We believe in allowing everyone to participate, dream, and have space regardless of their caste, language, religion, tradition, or history.”
Despite the BJP’s setback in the Lok Sabha elections, where it failed to secure a majority, the Congress party saw an improvement, winning 99 seats and leading the anti-Modi coalition, INDIA, to a total of 232 seats. Although the BJP fell short of the majority mark of 272, it managed to form a government with the support of key allies, including the Telugu Desam Party, Janata Dal (United), and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas).
In Uttar Pradesh, a traditional BJP stronghold, the party was defeated by former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party, which, in alliance with Congress, won 43 out of 80 seats. The BJP secured only 33 seats in the state’s most recent election.
