Patna (Bihar) [India], August 2 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched a pointed critique against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday, accusing him and other opposition figures of misleading the public with baseless allegations targeting the Election Commission.
Addressing an event in Patna, Singh responded to Gandhi's recent comments on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, branding them as "sensational, baseless and irresponsible."
The Union Minister mocked Gandhi's claim of possessing "atom bomb" of proof regarding vote rigging. "If he has such a bomb, he should test it and show the evidence," Singh said, adding that Gandhi's remarks lacked substance. He recalled previous dramatic statements made by Gandhi, such as triggering an "earthquake," which Singh said resulted in nothing more than "a mouse out of a mountain."
Defending the Election Commission, Singh described it as a "responsible and constitutional institution" and criticised opposition leaders for what he called misleading statements.
He emphasised that it is unbecoming for a Leader of the Opposition to make such comments about a body tasked with upholding democracy. Singh also reminded the audience of the Congress party's own past, citing the declaration of Emergency in 1975 as a serious breach of constitutional integrity.
On the matter of the SIR initiative, Singh clarified that the program is not a recent development and is being conducted sincerely to ensure an accurate and inclusive voter list ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections. He stated that over 7 crore voters are already registered and encouraged those missing from the list to update their documents. Singh accused the Opposition of engaging in "dirty politics" instead of helping inform the electorate.
Shifting focus, Singh praised Bihar's NDA government for its efforts in promoting development. He applauded the leadership of the Chief Minister and his team for driving progress. Singh linked Bihar's growth to the broader national trajectory under Prime Minister Modi's administration, suggesting that Eastern states like Bihar have a key role in propelling India to become the world's leading economy within the next 25 years. He also pointed out India's leap from the 11th to the 4th largest global economy since 2014.
Turning to national security, Singh contrasted the Modi government's tough stance against terrorism with what he described as Congress's "soft corner" for extremists. Recalling the serial blasts in Patna, he condemned past indecision and highlighted the bravery of India's armed forces through operations like 'Operation Sindoor.' Singh criticised the Opposition's habit of questioning military actions, calling it "unfortunate and condemnable."
In his concluding remarks, Singh encouraged voters in Bihar to prioritise stability and development over chaos and divisive caste politics. He presented the upcoming elections as a choice between progress and regression, expressing confidence that the electorate would choose wisely.