Vikrant Shekhawat : Sep 11, 2024, 10:20 PM
Rahul Gandhi News: Amid the upcoming assembly elections in Haryana, the difficulties of the Congress have increased. The controversial statements made by Rahul Gandhi recently in the US on Sikhs and reservation have increased the tension of the party. In Haryana, where the population of Dalits and Sikhs is 20 percent and 5 percent respectively, these statements of Rahul Gandhi can prove to be a new challenge for the Congress. This is not the first time that Rahul Gandhi's statements abroad have caused electoral damage to the Congress.Statements made in the US and electoral lossIn September 2017, during his US tour, Rahul Gandhi commented on the problem of division and dynasty in India. He had said that some people are engaged in dividing the country and the spirit of diversity and brotherhood is ending. Regarding this statement, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the Congress that the party leaders are defaming their country by going abroad. After this statement, the Congress lost in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.Controversy over beef in Singapore and BahrainDuring his visit to Singapore and Bahrain in early 2018, Rahul Gandhi made a statement about food that no one can decide who will eat what in India. During this, he also commented on freedom of speech in India. The BJP made the issue of beef uproar and freedom of speech in India an issue in the Karnataka elections. As a result, the Congress had to face defeat in the Karnataka elections.Comparison of the Sangh with the Muslim Brotherhood in BritainOn his visit to Britain in March 2023, Rahul Gandhi compared the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to the Muslim Brotherhood. This statement created a political uproar in India and the BJP as well as the Sangh reacted strongly. Cases were registered against him in many states including Bihar. This controversy led to electoral defeat for the Congress in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, where the Congress was in a strong position.Statement on democracy and ruckus in ParliamentDuring his visit to London in 2023, Rahul Gandhi talked about the threat to democracy in India and accused the central government of espionage. This statement led to protests and uproar in Parliament. Congress also had to give clarification in the Foreign Ministry meeting after this.Problems of foreign tour managerCongress President Sam Pitroda, who managed Rahul Gandhi's foreign tour, also increased the problems of Congress many times. Pitroda's statement on property division during the Lok Sabha elections was made an issue by the BJP. Apart from this, his controversial remarks on the Sikh riots before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections also increased the difficulties of Congress.ConclusionRahul Gandhi's statements abroad have consistently affected the electoral performance of Congress. Controversial statements made in the US, Singapore, Bahrain, and Britain have been pushing the Congress on the backfoot. It is a serious challenge for the Congress to protect its leadership's statements and strategies from issues that can harm the party's electoral prospects. The possible response to Rahul Gandhi's recent statements in Haryana can also prove to be an important test for the Congress.