On June 8, a significant meeting of the INDIA alliance was held in New Delhi following the assembly elections in five states. The gathering saw the participation of 25 constituent parties of the alliance. During this meeting, Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, delivered a comprehensive speech outlining the future course of action for the opposition. He later shared his thoughts on social media, emphasizing that the primary role of the Congress Party is to bring everyone together with love and affection.
The Metaphor of Shiva and Absorbing Criticism
Rahul Gandhi addressed the internal dynamics of the alliance by using a powerful spiritual metaphor. He recounted a past argument with a friend who suggested that since the world is wrong, one should get used to it. Rejecting this cynicism, Gandhi stated that it isn't his job to respond to every criticism directed at the Congress. Instead, he likened his role to the Shaivite tradition of the blue-necked Lord Shiva, who drank poison to save the world. He expressed his willingness to accept any criticism or negativity from alliance partners with a smile, asserting that the Congress's unique role is to foster unity through affection rather than ego.
Congress as a Resistance Movement Against RSS
Rahul Gandhi highlighted the historical identity of the Congress, stating that he has been an MP since 2004 and understands the party's unique structure. He described the Congress as a resistance movement that began before modern India existed, unlike other parties that were built using the infrastructure and protection of the Indian state, while he asserted that the Congress is a movement protecting the idea that all Indians are equal, which stands in direct opposition to the vision of the RSS. He declared, "You would have to cut off our heads before we stand with or compromise with the BJP or RSS.
Allegations of Institutional Capture and Vote Theft
The Congress leader expressed concern over what he termed as confusion within the alliance regarding political tools. He argued that traditional political methods only work when the state provides a neutral field, which he claims no longer exists. He alleged that the BJP now controls:
- The Legal System
- The Bureaucracy
- The Intelligence Agencies
- The Election Commission
Rahul Gandhi made serious allegations regarding the integrity of elections. He mentioned that while many allies like the TMC were confident of victory, he had seen the reality in states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, and Maharashtra. He claimed that Mamata Banerjee is 90% sure her election was stolen, while Uddhav Thackeray and Tejashwi Yadav are 40% sure. Gandhi went further to claim that 100% of elections are being stolen and urged allies to remove any doubt from their minds. He also noted that his own social media presence is being suppressed, despite having 10 million YouTube followers.
The Call for a Resistance Mode
Rahul Gandhi made the bold claim that the opposition actually won the 2024 elections and didn't lose. He stated that the exit of leaders like Nitish Kumar wasn't due to the Congress. He argued that since the BJP and RSS are tightening their grip on the state, political organizations must transform into resistance movements, similar to the shift led by Mahatma Gandhi in 1927. He defined resistance as a feeling and a way of thinking rather than just an organization. He urged the alliance to focus on issues like NEET and CBSE as forms of resistance. He concluded by stating that defeating the BJP is easy if the alliance stands together, asserting that the public's anger ensures the BJP will lose state after state in the future.