New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and the RSS, slamming the BJP-led government for being rattled by growing public anger and struggling to contain the political backlash.
Speaking at the Congress Creative Convention at Indira Bhavan in Delhi, Gandhi claimed that public reaction was causing growing unease within the government and suggested that Modi was facing mounting pressure and was sleepless. He also mocked Shah's prolonged absence from Parliament, questioning why the Home Minister, once described as a political strategist, had stayed away for around 20 days.
"...Our job is very simple, and we can drive them crazy. I'm telling you, Narendra Modi does not sleep at night. There are different reasons. There is an obvious reason, and there are many hidden reasons too. You saw Amit Shah, the so-called—what was he called? Chanakya, what else? Sardar Patel. Where has he disappeared? He couldn't come to the Parliament House for 20 days. Why? Because for the first time, they are feeling India's expression. And now they have realised that this country will not stop expressing itself..." ANI quoted.
Gandhi argued that the government had realised public anger would not subside and criticised Modi's foreign policy, saying that diplomacy should be driven by national interests rather than by personal relationships with foreign leaders.
He also attacked the RSS, arguing that the organisation had lost its independent political strength and had effectively become an instrument of big capital.
His remarks came as Parliament's Monsoon Session ended on Thursday amid repeated disruptions and sharp confrontation between the government and the Opposition. Modi and Shah attended Parliament on the final day before the Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die.
The 19th sitting session failed to deliver on expectations of passing several key Bills. Opposition parties repeatedly raised issues, including protests over the NEET examination, police action against protesters in Delhi and the Ram temple donation controversy.
The Opposition had also demanded Shah's presence in Parliament to respond to allegations surrounding police action against Delhi protesters. His absence further fuelled protests, while Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla did not deliver the customary concluding speech.