Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal during a public rally in Patparganj, Delhi, ahead of the February 5 assembly polls. Accusing Kejriwal of betraying his promise of clean politics, Gandhi alleged that the “biggest liquor scam” took place in Delhi under the AAP chief’s watch.
Gandhi criticized Kejriwal for living in a “sheesh mahal” (palace of mirrors) while failing to address the needs of the poor. “Kejriwal promised a new kind of politics, but today he lives in luxury, and the poor are left to suffer,” Gandhi said. He also targeted former deputy chief minister and AAP leader Manish Sisodia, calling him and Kejriwal the “architects of the liquor scam.”
The Congress leader urged voters to support the party’s candidate, Anil Chaudhary, in the upcoming elections, claiming that Sisodia had “run away” from the Patparganj constituency after being involved in corruption.
Gandhi further accused Kejriwal of being absent during critical moments, such as the February 2020 Delhi riots. “When the poor needed him, he was nowhere to be found. When violence erupted in Delhi, he was invisible,” Gandhi said.
BJP-RSS and the Constitution Under Threat
Turning his attention to the BJP, Gandhi accused the ruling party of attempting to undermine the Constitution. He referenced RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent statement that India achieved true independence only after Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power. “This is an insult to the Constitution and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. If independence wasn’t achieved on August 15, 1947, then what is the meaning of this?” Gandhi questioned, holding a copy of the Constitution in his hand.
He criticized the BJP for its alleged ties to billionaires, claiming that the party aims to hand over the country’s resources to a select few. “The BJP wants an India run by billionaires, while the Constitution stands for equality. They want to divide people on religious and caste lines,” Gandhi said.
Gandhi also took a dig at the recent Ram temple inauguration, pointing out the absence of poor people and the country’s tribal President, Droupadi Murmu, at the event. “At the Ram temple inauguration, not one poor person was seen. Our tribal President was not allowed there. When Parliament was inaugurated, she was not invited either,” he said.
Media Ignores Public Issues, Focuses on Ambani Wedding
The Congress leader lashed out at the media for neglecting pressing public issues. “Youth have no jobs, Delhi’s air is unbreathable, but the media only shows Modi ji’s face, the Ambani wedding, and Adani’s airports,” Gandhi said. He accused the BJP of prioritizing the interests of billionaires over the common people.
Gandhi alleged that PM Modi’s close ties with industrialist Gautam Adani have led to the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few. “Adani ji is Modi’s friend. The crores of rupees in Adani’s company are controlled by Modi,” he claimed.
Caste Census and Reservation
Gandhi reiterated the Congress’s commitment to conducting a nationwide caste census and removing the 50% cap on reservations. He questioned PM Modi’s silence on the issue and highlighted the lack of representation of Dalits, tribals, and backward communities in key sectors.
“You won’t find Dalits, tribals, or backward communities among the owners of India’s top 500 companies. They are also excluded from decisions on budget allocations,” Gandhi said. He vowed that the Congress would ensure a caste census wherever it comes to power and work towards a more inclusive India.
A Battle of Ideologies
Gandhi framed the upcoming elections as a battle between the BJP-RSS’s “politics of hatred” and the Congress’s vision of love and equality. “We want to open a shop of love in a market filled with hatred. We do not want an India filled with fear and division,” he said.
He accused the BJP-RSS of pitting communities against each other, while praising the Congress’s efforts to unite people. “The BJP-RSS makes brothers, people of different castes and religions, fight against each other. We stand for unity and progress,” Gandhi concluded.
The rally marked a sharp escalation in the Congress’s campaign, with Gandhi positioning his party as the defender of the Constitution and the voice of the marginalized against the BJP and AAP.
