Rahul Gandhi in US: BJP’s influence diminished after 2024 Lok Sabha elections
PTC News Desk: Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi addressed members of the Indian community in Dallas, Texas, where he discussed the significant shift in the political landscape following the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. Gandhi stated that the defeat of the BJP's bid for an outright majority in the elections led to a dramatic reduction in the public's fear of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party.
"The other thing that happened was that the fear of the BJP vanished," Gandhi remarked during the interaction. He noted that the moment the election results were announced, there was an immediate and widespread sense of relief among the Indian populace, who no longer felt intimidated by the BJP or its leader.
Gandhi emphasised that the election outcome should not be viewed as a personal victory or a triumph for the Congress party, but rather as a reflection of the Indian people's collective will. He argued that the results demonstrated a significant public response to the BJP’s perceived attempts to undermine constitutional and democratic values. "We are not going to accept an attack on our religion, on our state," he declared.
In his address, Gandhi highlighted the ideological divide between the BJP’s parent organization, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and the Congress party. He criticized the RSS for its belief in a monolithic vision of India, contrasting it with his party’s view of India as a nation enriched by diverse ideas and perspectives.
"The RSS believes that India is one idea, and we believe that India is a multiplicity of ideas," Gandhi said, underlining his vision of an inclusive India that embraces diversity across caste, religion, language, and tradition.
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Gandhi also emphasised the importance of protecting India's Constitution, stating that his campaign message on this issue resonated with voters.
"What people understood in the election clearly, and I saw it happening, was that when I raised the Constitution, people understood what I was saying," he explained. He further asserted that any attack on the Constitution is also an attack on India’s religious and cultural traditions.
In his address, Gandhi called for a reinvigoration of political values, emphasizing love, respect, and humility. "What is missing in our political systems and across parties is love, respect, and humility," he said. He stressed the need to respect everyone contributing to nation-building, not just the powerful, and to practice humility within oneself.
Gandhi’s visit to the US is part of a broader outreach effort, which includes engagements with students at the University of Texas and discussions with US lawmakers. His three-day trip comes at a pivotal time, with upcoming US presidential elections and key assembly elections in Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir.
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- With inputs from agencies
