Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, during his US visit, sparked controversy by alleging that India's Election Commission is no longer impartial and that the country’s democratic institutions are under threat. His remarks have invited sharp reactions from BJP leaders, who accused him of insulting India on foreign soil. The episode has ignited a fierce political debate both domestically and internationally.
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Washington/New Delhi:
On his latest tour of the United States, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi stirred a massive political row by making controversial remarks on India’s Election Commission (EC). Addressing the Indian diaspora in the US, Gandhi claimed that democratic institutions in India, including the EC, are no longer functioning independently, and accused the current central government of influencing constitutional bodies.
Rahul Gandhi said, “The Election Commission is not impartial anymore. Institutions are captured. India is being ruled by authoritarian means under the guise of democracy.” His comments have ignited a war of words between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, with the former calling it a “calculated attempt to malign India’s image globally.”
Reacting sharply, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra stated, “It is shameful that Rahul Gandhi continues his habit of defaming India on foreign land. He is questioning the integrity of the Election Commission, a constitutional body, just for political gains.”
He further added, “Rahul Gandhi cannot accept repeated electoral defeats and hence he’s trying to shift the blame. This is not dissent; it is dishonoring democracy.”
Several other senior BJP leaders, including Union Minister Anurag Thakur and Smriti Irani, also lashed out at Gandhi for making “irresponsible” statements that could be misused by anti-India forces.
Meanwhile, Congress came out in support of Rahul Gandhi, claiming that his remarks are rooted in truth and concern for Indian democracy.
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said, “What Rahul Gandhi has spoken in the US is a reflection of what lakhs of Indians feel today. Institutions are being undermined and voices of dissent are being suppressed in India.”
The party also stated that rather than attacking Gandhi, the ruling party should answer questions raised about the freedom of institutions, transparency in governance, and electoral fairness.
Rahul Gandhi’s comments struck a nerve because they targeted the Election Commission of India, a body that has always projected neutrality and fairness in conducting elections in the world’s largest democracy.
With general elections around the corner, any attack on the EC naturally assumes significance. Gandhi’s remarks, made on an international platform, have magnified the political stakes, with the global media also reporting on the controversy.
This is not the first time Rahul Gandhi has drawn criticism for remarks made abroad. In previous international events held in UK, Singapore, and now USA, Gandhi has often brought up issues like press freedom, institutional independence, and the decline of democratic values in India.
BJP argues that such comments harm India’s image on the global stage and are meant to gain sympathy among international liberal circles. Congress, on the other hand, insists that raising concerns globally is not anti-national, but rather part of a broader democratic discourse.
On social media, the debate is polarized. While some users praised Rahul Gandhi for speaking truth to power, others criticized him for airing domestic issues abroad.
Political analysts believe that the timing of this controversy, just ahead of key elections in several Indian states, might influence electoral narratives.
Media houses are closely tracking the impact of these statements on voter sentiment, especially among youth and urban populations.
Rahul Gandhi’s statements during his US visit have once again highlighted the deep ideological divide in Indian politics. While Congress continues to push the narrative of democracy under threat, BJP is capitalizing on these remarks to paint Gandhi as anti-national.
Whether this international controversy helps or hurts either party in the run-up to elections remains to be seen—but it has certainly set the tone for more high-voltage political drama in the coming weeks.
