WASHINGTON: Rahul Gandhi, a prominent figure in India’s opposition, criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s grip on Indian society on Thursday but expressed confidence that the united opposition can defeat the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2024 elections.
Speaking at the National Press Club in Washington, Gandhi, a member of the Congress Party, was expelled from the Indian parliament in March following a defamation conviction related to remarks made during a 2019 election campaign.
Gandhi stated, “I think the Congress Party will do very well in the next election. I think it will surprise people,” emphasizing that a united opposition can prevail over the BJP on its own. He accused Prime Minister Modi of polarizing and dividing Indian society while orchestrating a takeover of the country’s institutions. Modi and the BJP advocate for Hindu hegemony in India, a nation characterized by diverse faiths and a secular constitution”.
According to Gandhi, the ruling party has imposed restrictions on the institutional framework that previously facilitated open dialogue and negotiation among Indian people. His visit to the United States coincides with PM Modi’s upcoming state visit on June 22, during which he will be welcomed at the White House.
Rahul Gandhi’s Conviction for Defamation
Gandhi’s conviction for defamation and subsequent loss on appeal in April have legally barred him from further political participation. However, he viewed his “disqualification” as an opportunity to redefine himself and regarded it as a gift from his opponents. Gandhi expressed concern over the suppression of voices and the intimidation faced by thousands of individuals.
In the defamation case, Gandhi had made a statement declaring, “all thieves have Modi as their surname,” leading to a two-year jail sentence by a tribunal. Currently, out on bail, Gandhi’s conviction renders him ineligible to hold a parliamentary seat or participate in the 2024 general elections, where the BJP is widely expected to secure victory.
As a scion of a prominent political dynasty, Rahul Gandhi is the son of Rajiv and Sonia Gandhi, the grandson of Indira Gandhi, and the great-grandson of independence leader Jawaharlal Nehru, all of whom served as prime ministers. The Congress Party, once a dominant force in Indian politics, has experienced a considerable reduction in influence, while Modi’s nationalist BJP has gained significant support from the Hindu majority.
