Ashok Gehlot backs Rahul as INDIA bloc face, says contest should be 'Modi Vs Rahul'

Jaipur: Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday pitched for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to be projected as the face of the opposition alliance, saying the INDIA bloc should openly accept his leadership and present a clear political contest before the country -- "Modi versus Rahul Gandhi".

He also said the time has come for "BJP versus all" rather than "Congress versus all", and claimed that if former prime minister Indira Gandhi were in power today, she would have banned a party like the BJP for practising politics in the name of religion.

Addressing an award function in Jaipur, Gehlot said the INDIA alliance needed to be strengthened and that the Congress, being its largest constituent, had the biggest responsibility in that regard.

"If there is one party that bears the greatest responsibility for strengthening the alliance, it is the Congress because it is the largest party in bloc. Recently, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said that all parties which had split from the Congress should return to the Congress fold. I supported that view. I also said that the INDIA alliance should openly acknowledge and accept Rahul Gandhi's leadership. That is my opinion," he said.

Praising Rahul Gandhi, Gehlot described him as a fearless leader who was consistently raising issues concerning the country both inside and outside Parliament.

"Rahul Gandhi is repeatedly warning the people about the challenges facing the country. He is a courageous leader who is not afraid. He looks Prime Minister Modi in the eye and asks questions on national and international issues, but there are no answers," he said.

Referring to eras of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, Gehlot said Congress had historically fought against a united opposition and that the current political situation demanded a broader opposition front against the BJP.

"Had a leader like Indira Gandhi been in power today, she would have banned a party like the BJP. You cannot run a political party on the basis of Hindutva and religion. The Constitution does not permit politics in the name of religion," Gehlot said.

The senior Congress leader also urged young people and students to actively participate in politics and understand competing ideologies.

"In my 50 years in politics, I have never witnessed an atmosphere as dangerous as the one prevailing in the country today. If the country does not correct its course even now, the nation and its people will have to bear the consequences in the future. The younger generation will have no future, and the situation could become far more serious," he said.

"I appeal to young people and students to join politics. If you want to save the country, you must understand different ideologies. Study them and join whichever one you believe is the best. It does not matter to me which party or ideology you choose but at least, participate in politics," he added.

Gehlot alleged that democratic institutions were under unprecedented pressure and claimed the situation in the country was more serious than many people realised.

"Democracy is in danger, but the situation is even worse than what people think. Injustice and oppression are taking place. Institutions are under pressure, whether it is the judiciary, investigative agencies or the bureaucracy," he said.

He alleged that agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Income Tax Department were being used as political weapons against opponents of the ruling party. He also accused the mainstream media of failing to hold the government accountable.

"The media is under tremendous pressure. It is not allowing issues to become national debates. In a democracy, the media has a crucial role. It must act in the national interest and free itself from government pressure," he said.

Targeting the BJP and the RSS, Gehlot said their ideology was dangerous and accused them of selectively invoking national icons for political gain.

"They have no real faith in Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel or Dr B.R. Ambedkar. These leaders are remembered only for political benefit," he alleged.

Gehlot also expressed concern over the condition of minorities in the country and said communities that had contributed to nation-building were being targeted.

"People from minority communities have sacrificed their lives for the country and defended its borders. Yet there is an atmosphere where minorities feel under attack. What is happening today should concern every Indian," he said.

Referring to BJP's representation in Parliament, he questioned the absence of Muslim MPs from the party in the Lok Sabha and alleged that senior Muslim leaders who once defended the BJP had been sidelined.

"Leaders like Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Shahnawaz Hussain spent years defending the BJP, but they have been pushed aside," he claimed.

The former chief minister also criticised the Election Commission, alleging that electoral processes were being manipulated and claiming that developments in states such as Bihar and West Bengal had raised serious concerns about voting rights.

He further accused the BJP of trying to create a one-party-dominant political system.

"They speak of a Congress-free India and an opposition-free India. But what is democracy without an opposition? There are indications that they want a system where one party keeps winning while others merely exist in name," he said.

Gehlot alleged that governance under the BJP government in Rajasthan has deteriorated and people were facing serious water and electricity-related problems.

"There appears to be no government on the ground," he said.