Kharge targets BJP, RSS over Rahul Gandhi’s overseas visit, warns of major Congress rally on November 1

Patna, Oct 25 : Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday accused the BJP and the RSS of closely monitoring the movements of Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi instead of addressing pressing national issues. He warned that the Congress would teach the BJP a lesson through a major rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on November 1, following Rahul Gandhi's return from his overseas visit.

Addressing a gathering marking the 139th birth anniversary of Bihar's first Chief Minister, Dr Sri Krishna Singh, Kharge criticised the BJP leadership for targeting Rahul Gandhi over his personal visit to Vietnam. He said Rahul Gandhi had travelled for his work and would return on November 1.

"After Rahul Gandhi returns, there will be a big rally at Ramlila Maidan, and the BJP will be taught a lesson," Kharge declared, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were more concerned about Rahul Gandhi's movements than important national matters.

Kharge dismissed allegations branding Rahul Gandhi as anti-national and called upon all INDIA bloc constituents to unite against the BJP and intensify their campaign against alleged irregularities in the electoral process.

He said opposition leaders had jointly approached President Droupadi Murmu, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, repeal of the 2023 law governing the appointment and service conditions of election commissioners, and an immediate halt to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The opposition also sought restoration of names allegedly deleted unlawfully from voter lists and demanded the introduction of ballot papers in all elections. Kharge further demanded the cancellation of Assembly elections conducted over the past two years and the dismissal of governments formed following those elections.

Alleging large-scale irregularities in the SIR exercise, Kharge claimed that voters were being selectively removed from electoral rolls to benefit the BJP. He accused the ruling party of using the Election Commission to target opposition supporters and alleged electoral manipulation in West Bengal, Haryana, Bihar and Maharashtra.

He said concerns over voter deletions had repeatedly been raised by Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders and called for investigations into suspected irregularities. Urging people to lodge complaints and demand inquiries, he asserted that the opposition would not be intimidated by the use of central investigative agencies.

Kharge also accused the BJP of engineering political defections and misusing agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to secure political advantage.

Describing the fight against SIR as a "second freedom struggle", he urged the people of Bihar to participate in the Congress-led campaign to protect voting rights and the Constitution. He warned that denying citizens their voting rights would push the country towards a situation resembling colonial rule.

Questioning the Modi government's changes to the law governing the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and other election commissioners, Kharge alleged that the legislation had weakened the independence of the Election Commission. He criticised the removal of the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel and the inclusion of a Union Minister, claiming that the changes enabled the government to influence appointments.

He accused the BJP of attempting to concentrate power and undermine democratic institutions and urged voters to oppose what he described as the government's authoritarian tendencies.

Rejecting allegations that the Congress sought to divide the country, Kharge said his party had historically worked towards national unity, while accusing the BJP and RSS of promoting divisions along religious, linguistic and caste lines.

He also alleged that the BJP was interfering in educational institutions, universities and academic curricula, thereby weakening the country's education system. Referring to the Right to Education framework, he said the Congress had taken steps to strengthen access to education.

Kharge accused the BJP of attempting to weaken universal adult franchise, a constitutional principle that guarantees every eligible adult citizen the right to vote irrespective of wealth or social status. Recalling the contributions of B.R. Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru and Sri Krishna Singh, he said the right to vote had transformed India's democratic structure.

He alleged that the BJP was attempting to erase the contributions of Congress leaders while taking credit for development projects initiated by previous governments. He also criticised the Centre over the delay in implementing women's reservation, claiming that the government was using delimitation as a pretext to postpone the process.

Paying tribute to Sri Krishna Singh, Kharge described him as one of the principal architects of modern Bihar who strengthened democratic institutions and promoted social justice.

He highlighted Singh's contributions to abolishing the zamindari system, introducing land reforms and promoting agriculture, irrigation and education. He also referred to infrastructure projects undertaken during his tenure, including a thermal power plant and the Rajendra Bridge.

Kharge said Singh had demonstrated political courage by pursuing the abolition of zamindari despite opposition from sections of the landed community. Recalling his opposition to communalism, Kharge said the former Chief Minister had challenged both Hindu and Muslim communal politics.

He also highlighted Singh's efforts to eradicate untouchability, including removing restrictions on Dalits and disadvantaged communities entering the Baidyanath Dham temple.

Accusing the BJP and RSS of continuing to be influenced by social practices and ideologies opposed to constitutional equality, Kharge criticised former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for joining hands with the BJP. He said the move was inconsistent with the socialist traditions associated with leaders such as Jayaprakash Narayan and Ram Manohar Lohia.

Referring to an incident at a public ground in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, Kharge alleged that a stage was subjected to a purification ritual by people associated with the BJP and RSS following a public meeting addressed by him on August 8.

He said such incidents of caste discrimination, decades after Independence, would undermine efforts to build social harmony and national unity. Kharge said he had raised the issue in Parliament and alleged that BJP leader J.P. Nadda had apologised and promised an inquiry, but its findings had not been made public.

The Congress president accused the BJP of invoking religion while failing to address caste discrimination and social exclusion.

Attacking the Modi government's economic record, Kharge alleged that promises relating to the return of black money, employment generation and doubling farmers' incomes had not been fulfilled. He said rising prices of essential commodities had made it increasingly difficult for poor families to afford basic necessities.

He accused the BJP and RSS of focusing on religion, language and caste instead of addressing people's fundamental economic concerns. Kharge also alleged irregularities in donations collected in the name of the Ram temple in Ayodhya and demanded legal action against anyone found guilty of wrongdoing.

Recounting Sri Krishna Singh's contribution to the freedom movement, Kharge said Singh had met Mahatma Gandhi in Varanasi in 1916 and subsequently given up his legal practice to join the struggle for Independence. He said Singh had spent more than eight years in prison during the freedom movement, while Jawaharlal Nehru had spent around 13 years behind bars.

Kharge said Congress leaders had made significant sacrifices for the country's freedom and accused the BJP of taking credit for development achieved during the tenures of leaders such as Singh and Nehru while blaming the Congress for the country's failures.

Describing Bihar as the land of Gautama Buddha, Mahavira, Chanakya and Aryabhata, Kharge urged people to support the Congress campaign against alleged electoral irregularities and defend constitutional rights.

He said the legacy of Sri Krishna Singh should inspire younger generations to uphold social justice, democratic values and national unity.