Amit Shah Targets Rahul Gandhi Over PM Ambition Amid Rally

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi amid the INDIA bloc’s protest in Delhi, saying that his ambition of becoming Prime Minister would never be fulfilled. Shah also criticised the Opposition alliance for organising a rally in the national capital on November 1, arguing that the date would reopen painful memories for victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Addressing an event in Chandigarh, Shah told Gandhi that if he wanted to become Prime Minister, he could remain in a mock Parliament for the rest of his life, but his turn would never come. The remarks came a day after INDIA bloc leaders held a mock Parliament session to publicly impeach Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of irregularities in electoral processes.

Shah’s comments came as Opposition leaders and supporters gathered at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan for the ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’ rally. The protest was organised over alleged discrepancies in electoral rolls and concerns surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

Amit Shah’s Remark on Rahul Gandhi’s Prime Ministerial Ambition

Targeting Rahul Gandhi during his address in Chandigarh, Shah questioned the Congress leader’s political ambitions and referred to the INDIA bloc’s mock Parliament programme held on October 31.

“If you want to become PM, stay in mock parliament your entire life; your turn won’t come,” Shah said, according to PTI.

The remark followed the Opposition’s decision to hold a mock Parliament session as part of its campaign against CEC Gyanesh Kumar. INDIA bloc leaders have accused the Election Commission of failing to address concerns about electoral processes and the revision of voter lists.

The Opposition’s protest included demands for accountability from the poll body, while the BJP has criticised the demonstrations and questioned the Congress’s approach to constitutional institutions.

Shah Criticises INDIA Bloc Rally on November 1

Along with targeting Gandhi’s Prime Ministerial ambitions, Shah criticised the INDIA bloc for holding its protest in Delhi on November 1, the anniversary of the beginning of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

The Home Minister said organising a political rally on the date would “rub salt in the wounds” of those affected by the violence. He also attacked the Congress over the riots, referring to the thousands of people who were killed.

The 1984 anti-Sikh violence followed the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984. The subsequent violence, particularly in Delhi, resulted in the deaths of thousands of Sikhs. The events remain a significant and sensitive issue in India’s political history.

Shah’s criticism placed the date of the INDIA bloc rally at the centre of the political confrontation, with the BJP arguing that the Opposition should have considered the significance of November 1 for victims and their families.

INDIA Bloc Holds ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’ Rally at Ramlila Maidan

The INDIA bloc organised its ‘Chalo Dilli’ march on Sunday, with opposition leaders and supporters gathering in the national capital to participate in the ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’ rally at Ramlila Maidan.

The march began at the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction. Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee were among the leaders who proceeded towards the rally venue.

The event was attended by several prominent leaders from parties belonging to the INDIA bloc, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav.

Other leaders present included Jammu and Kashmir National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, CPI leader D Raja and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, according to ANI.

The rally was organised against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, with the Opposition raising allegations concerning electoral irregularities and expressing concerns about the SIR exercise. The alliance has demanded greater accountability from the Election Commission and questioned aspects of the electoral roll revision process.

Mock Parliament Session Held Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar

The Ramlila Maidan rally followed a mock Parliament session organised by INDIA bloc leaders on October 31 at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence.

During the programme, Opposition leaders staged a symbolic public impeachment of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The exercise was intended to highlight their allegations against the Election Commission and draw attention to concerns about electoral integrity.

The term ‘public impeachment’ was used by the Opposition to describe its political protest. It was not a formal impeachment proceeding under the constitutional process.

The INDIA bloc has been raising questions about the conduct of elections, electoral rolls and the implementation of the Special Intensive Revision. The BJP, meanwhile, has rejected the Opposition’s campaign and accused its leaders of attempting to create distrust around democratic institutions.

BJP Organises March Against 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots in Delhi

Amid the INDIA bloc’s rally, the BJP organised a separate march in Delhi’s Hari Nagar area on Sunday to protest against the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

The march was led by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and saw participation from several Sikh organisations, PTI reported. The programme was organised as the BJP criticised the Congress over the violence and its historical handling of the issue.

The parallel events highlighted how the anniversary of the 1984 violence became a major point of political confrontation between the BJP and the Opposition on November 1.

Dharmendra Pradhan Targets Congress During BJP’s Faridabad Padyatra

Separately, BJP leader and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan participated in the party’s ‘Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao’ (Save Democracy, End Anarchy) padyatra in Faridabad, Haryana, on Sunday.

The march was organised as part of the BJP’s nationwide campaign. Pradhan was accompanied by Union Minister of State Krishan Pal Gurjar, Minister of State Rajesh Nagar, Haryana Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam, several MLAs and party workers.

Addressing participants, Pradhan targeted Rahul Gandhi and the Congress, alleging that the party had lost faith in democracy, the Constitution, Parliament and the Election Commission.

His remarks reflected the BJP’s broader counter-campaign against the INDIA bloc’s protests. While the Opposition has questioned the Election Commission’s handling of electoral processes, BJP leaders have sought to portray the demonstrations as politically motivated.

BJP-INDIA Bloc Face-Off Over Election Commission and 1984 Riots

The developments on Sunday reflected two major points of political confrontation between the BJP and the INDIA bloc: allegations surrounding the Election Commission and the legacy of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

The Opposition’s ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’ campaign has focused on alleged discrepancies in electoral rolls and concerns about the SIR exercise. Its leaders have demanded accountability from CEC Gyanesh Kumar and questioned the poll body’s handling of electoral matters.

The BJP has responded through public statements, political marches and criticism of the Congress. Shah’s remarks in Chandigarh focused both on Rahul Gandhi’s Prime Ministerial ambitions and the timing of the Opposition’s rally, while the party’s separate march in Delhi highlighted the 1984 violence.

With both sides organising public programmes and targeting each other’s political positions, the Election Commission controversy and the debate over the 1984 riots have become central themes in the latest confrontation between the ruling BJP and the INDIA bloc.