Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, comparing him with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi while citing her leadership during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
Addressing a public gathering in Bihar’s Nalanda, Gandhi said that during the 1971 conflict, Indira Gandhi stood firm against the United States, while Modi lacked the vision and courage to do the same with then US President Donald Trump.
“During the 1971 war in the Bangladesh struggle, America sent its aircraft and navy to intimidate and threaten India. Indira Gandhi, who was the Prime Minister, said We are not afraid of your navy, do what you must, we will do what we must,” Gandhi said.
He added, “Indira Gandhi was a woman, but she had more guts than this man. Narendra Modi is cowardly. He has neither a vision nor the ability to stand up to the President of America. I challenge him if Narendra Modi has the courage, he should say at any meeting in Bihar that the President of America is lying, that he did not bow before him and did not stop Operation Sindoor. He cannot do that.”
His remarks came after US President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed that he had intervened to prevent a potential war between India and Pakistan following India’s Operation Sindoor.
Speaking at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEOs Luncheon in Gyeongju, South Korea, Trump said his mediation had averted hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbours earlier this year.
Continuing his attack, Gandhi said that Trump had “insulted” PM Modi multiple times. “The President of America has insulted Narendra Modi 50 times. Trump said I told Modi on the phone to stop Operation Sindoor. Narendra Modi stopped it within two days. But Modi doesn’t have the guts to say the President of America is lying. He’s afraid and hiding instead of facing him,” Gandhi remarked.
He further accused Modi of surrendering India’s independence in foreign policy. “Indira Gandhi had spine and strength. Narendra Modi bows before foreign powers and big businessmen,” he said.
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Shifting focus to domestic politics, Gandhi reiterated his “two Indias” remark while criticising Modi over Chhath Puja celebrations in Delhi.
“There are two Indias. During Chhath Puja, PM Modi took a bath in the Yamuna. On one side, there is the real India and Bihar, where the Yamuna is polluted. On the other side, Modi built a small pond of clean water brought through pipes so that he could bathe in it,” he said.
The Congress leader also accused Modi of favouring industrialists Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani while neglecting employment for the youth.
“There are two Indias, one for Adani, Ambani, and Modi, and the second for you and me. In this second India, no matter what you do, you will not get a job because PM Modi wants people like Adani and Ambani to sell Chinese products to the people of Bihar,” he said.
He alleged that land was being allotted to industrialists at nominal rates, while ordinary citizens struggled to find opportunities.
“One India belongs to billionaires. Union Home Minister Amit Shah says there is no land for industries, but Adani gets land at Re 1. Land worth crores is taken from farmers and handed over to billionaires for free,” Gandhi claimed.
Turning his attention to Bihar’s healthcare system, Gandhi said, “People don’t go to Bihar’s hospitals to live, but to die. That is the truth of your government.”
He further accused Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of being “remote-controlled” by the Prime Minister. “PM Modi has the remote control of Nitish Kumar.
Whatever button Modi presses, Nitish acts. The government is run by Modi, Amit Shah, and Nagpur,” Gandhi said, referring to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters.
Expressing confidence in the Mahagathbandhan’s victory in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, Gandhi said, “When our government is formed, it will represent all groups, all religions, and all castes. The extremely backward, backward, Dalit, Mahadalit, poor, farmers, and workers everyone’s voice will be heard. That is my guarantee because Bihar needs a government of Biharis.”
The Bihar Assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11, and the results will be declared on November 14.
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