By The Sampadak Express
On Monday, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition and senior Congress leader, launched a fierce critique of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government in the Lok Sabha. His comments spanned a wide range of topics, including artificial intelligence (AI), election commission data, the selection of election commissioners, the failure of the ‘Make in India’ initiative, and China’s alleged territorial encroachment into India. Gandhi’s speech drew sharp responses from members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accusing him of hypocrisy.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the key issues raised by Rahul Gandhi in Parliament and the BJP’s counter-response:
Trump’s Invitation to PM Modi
One of the first points raised by Gandhi was regarding Prime Minister Modi’s absence at the inauguration of US President Donald Trump on January 20. Gandhi questioned why Modi was not invited to the event and noted that, under a robust diplomatic system, India’s Foreign Minister would not have needed to personally request an invitation for the Prime Minister. He criticized the lack of a strong international representation system for India.
In response, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju dismissed Gandhi’s comments, calling them unfounded and irresponsible, particularly in matters concerning bilateral relations between two nations. Gandhi sarcastically apologized for causing any distress, but External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also weighed in, emphasizing that the Prime Minister typically does not attend such events and that India is usually represented by Special Envoys.
Election Commissioners Selection Process
Gandhi also took issue with changes to the process of selecting Election Commissioners. Previously, the selection process involved the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, and the Chief Justice. However, the Chief Justice was removed from this committee. Gandhi questioned the rationale behind this change, asking why the Chief Justice had been excluded, and alleged that recent changes in the Election Commission, such as the appointment of new Election Commissioners, were politically motivated.
In defense of the current system, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma pointed out the Congress’s own failure to ensure transparency in the election commissioner selection process when it was in power. Sarma accused the Congress of political hypocrisy, asking why the party did not implement reforms during its decades-long rule.
Make-in-India Program’s Failure
Gandhi questioned the success of the ‘Make in India’ initiative, pointing to a decline in manufacturing as a percentage of India’s GDP. He claimed that manufacturing had dropped from 15.3% of GDP in 2014 to 12.6% today—the lowest in 60 years. Gandhi acknowledged that Prime Minister Modi’s intentions might have been good but stated that the initiative had ultimately failed to deliver the promised results.
China’s Alleged Intrusion into Indian Territory
A key portion of Gandhi’s speech was dedicated to criticizing the Modi government’s handling of the situation with China. Gandhi referred to comments made by India’s Chief of Army Staff, which suggested that Chinese forces had entered Indian territory. He attributed this situation to the failure of the ‘Make in India’ program, which he argued had left India’s military unprepared to deal with external threats. Gandhi also claimed that the Army had contradicted the Prime Minister’s statement about China’s presence in Indian territory, particularly in areas spanning 4,000 square kilometers.
In response, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla asked Gandhi to provide evidence for his claims, though Gandhi did not present any direct proof during the debate.
Artificial Intelligence and Data Localization
Turning to technology, Gandhi expressed concern over India’s lagging position in the global artificial intelligence (AI) race. He argued that AI was meaningless without data, and India, in his view, was falling behind China and the United States, both of which have a significant lead in the acquisition and utilization of data. He pointed out that much of the data essential for AI, particularly in areas such as battery production and electronics, is controlled by China. Gandhi warned that India needed to address this gap or risk falling further behind in technological innovation.
Election Data and Voter Rolls
Gandhi also raised concerns about the transparency of the electoral process in Maharashtra. He demanded data from the Election Commission on voter registration during the Maharashtra Assembly Elections, claiming that a large number of voters had been added to the rolls in just five months. Gandhi pointed out that this sudden increase in voters was highly unusual and raised questions about potential irregularities.
Unemployment and Economic Concerns
On economic matters, Gandhi highlighted the ongoing issue of unemployment, stating that both the UPA and NDA governments had failed to provide clear solutions to the youth of India. While acknowledging that India’s economy had grown in recent years, Gandhi emphasized that unemployment remained a pressing problem that needed urgent attention.
On the Destruction of India’s Founding Values
In his closing remarks, Gandhi criticized the current government for allegedly undermining the values of India’s founding leaders, such as Sardar Patel, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and Jawaharlal Nehru. He accused the BJP of paying lip service to these leaders while destroying the very values they stood for. Gandhi stressed the importance of truthfulness, unity, and non-violence in shaping the nation’s future, warning that hatred and violence were harming the country.
BJP’s Response
In response to Gandhi’s accusations, BJP leaders, including Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, accused him of hypocrisy and political posturing. Sarma pointed out that the Congress had failed to implement many of the reforms it was now calling for during its time in power. The BJP also defended the Prime Minister’s foreign policy and the current electoral reforms, calling them transparent and in line with democratic principles.
The exchange in the Lok Sabha on Monday reflected a significant political confrontation, with Gandhi’s sharp criticism of the Modi government contrasted by BJP leaders’ defense of their policies. The debate on issues such as economic growth, national security, and electoral integrity is likely to continue as India approaches the 2024 general elections.
