New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday launched a sharp critique of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, highlighting what he described as a widening gap between the BJP’s direct public engagement and Congress’s outreach campaigns. Speaking in an interview with news agency ANI, Shah emphasized the BJP’s focus on ground-level interaction with citizens compared to the Congress’s orchestrated programs.
BJP vs Congress: Direct Interaction vs ‘Illusions’
Amit Shah drew a clear distinction between the BJP’s approach of personally engaging with people and the Congress’s style of outreach, which he termed as “program management.” He said, “There is a big difference between managing a program and communicating with the public.”
Shah referred to the flood of social media reels showcasing Rahul Gandhi’s outreach programs, dismissing them as an attempt by the Congress to create “illusions” among the people. According to him, these activities are carefully curated and fail to match the BJP’s direct engagement with citizens at the grassroots level.
“They want to create a kind of illusion among the people. And they will definitely not succeed because our direct interaction with the people is many times greater than theirs. We talk to the people. We haven’t just come here and sat by chance,” Shah said.
Criticism After Electoral Defeats
The Home Minister did not hold back in his assessment of Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, pointing to the Congress’s recent electoral setbacks. He argued that after losing three elections, Gandhi’s frustration is visible and has led to a decline in his judgment. Shah stated, “After losing three elections, I think the level of frustration is such that the normal sense of judgment, he has lost it.”
Shah’s comments come in the context of Rahul Gandhi’s intensified social media presence, particularly on Instagram, where reels highlighting his outreach drives, criticism of the Narendra Modi government, and allegations of “vote theft” have gone viral. The BJP leader suggested that such social media campaigns cannot substitute genuine public interaction, which he claims remains the BJP’s strongest tool for connecting with citizens.
CISF Deployment in Parliament
In the same interview, Shah addressed concerns regarding the deployment of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) inside Parliament, clarifying that it should not be seen as a measure to curb dissent or suppress protests.
He explained that all forces inside Parliament, including the CISF and earlier the Delhi Police, function under the authority of the Speaker. “The identity of the force itself does not matter. Earlier, it used to be personnel from the Delhi Police; now it is CISF. But the moment they come within the security perimeter of the House, they are no longer considered CISF or Delhi Police personnel, they are regarded as Marshals,” Shah said.
Marshals enter the Parliament only when ordered by the Speaker and are tasked with maintaining security and order. Shah’s clarification comes amid opposition claims that the CISF’s presence in the House is intended to restrict lawful protests and dissenting voices.
Political Context and Implications
Amit Shah’s remarks reflect the intense political rivalry between the BJP and Congress ahead of upcoming elections. By criticizing Rahul Gandhi’s outreach programs and pointing to the party’s electoral setbacks, Shah seeks to reinforce the BJP’s narrative of stronger citizen engagement and governance credentials.
Experts suggest that the BJP’s emphasis on direct interaction is part of its broader strategy to mobilize grassroots support, while the Congress is attempting to leverage social media campaigns to maintain visibility. Shah’s comments on the CISF also underline the government’s efforts to clarify its stance on parliamentary security, addressing concerns raised by opposition parties regarding freedom of expression and democratic norms.
Conclusion
Through his interview, Amit Shah highlighted what he perceives as a contrast in political strategy: the BJP’s hands-on approach versus Congress’s curated outreach. He underscored that electoral setbacks have impacted Rahul Gandhi’s public messaging, while reaffirming the government’s position on maintaining order inside Parliament without curtailing democratic rights.
