NEW DELHI: A political slugfest erupted after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi was stopped from visiting violence-hit Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh, with the BJP accusing the Congress leader of attempting to incite communal tensions. BJP leaders criticised Gandhi’s visit as a desperate political move, driven by competition with the Samajwadi Party (SP) to reclaim vote banks. Meanwhile, Congress leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, slammed the government’s actions as undemocratic and an assault on constitutional rights.
BJP spokesperson Dr Sudhanshu Trivedi described the visit as a “sign of helplessness” on Rahul Gandhi’s part. “This is not about sympathy for the victims. It’s a compulsion borne out of the Congress’ failure to hold the INDI alliance together and the ongoing rivalry with SP to reclaim their core vote bank. Rahul Gandhi’s actions are nothing more than a formality for media attention,” Trivedi said during a press briefing.
Referring to the ongoing winter session of Parliament, Trivedi said that there is disunity within the Congress-led opposition bloc. “Forty-two notices under Rule 267 were filed yesterday on nine different topics, clearly exposing the fractured approach of the INDI alliance. Instead of focusing on governance, Rahul Gandhi is engaging in theatrics to stay relevant,” he alleged.
Adding to the criticism, BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya claimed the Gandhis’ visit was a calculated move to consolidate the Muslim vote bank. “Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi have no genuine intention to promote peace. Their sole aim is to spread communal frenzy while ignoring the sentiments of the Hindu community. The Congress has become the new Muslim League,” Malviya said.
Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by Priyanka Gandhi and other Congress leaders, was stopped at the Ghazipur border by the Uttar Pradesh police. The delegation was prevented from entering Sambhal, where violence erupted during a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era mosque alleged to have been built over a Hindu temple. The clashes, which occurred on November 24, resulted in four deaths and led to the arrest of over 30 people.
Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya dismissed the Congress’ intentions as political opportunism. “This is nothing but drama. The Congress and SP are competing to appease Muslim voters, but their decline is certain,” Maurya said.
BJP wants to replicate conflict seen in Manipur across country: Congress
Standing at the Delhi-UP border with a copy of the Constitution in hand, Rahul Gandhi criticised the police action as undemocratic. “This is a violation of my constitutional right. We want to visit Sambhal to meet the victims, but the BJP government is obstructing democracy,” he said. Priyanka Gandhi added, “Rahul ji has every right as the Leader of Opposition to meet those affected. This is not just politics; it’s about justice.”
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi condemned the BJP’s actions, saying, “We raised this issue in the House and staged a walkout against this reprehensible act. The BJP wants to replicate the conflict seen in Manipur across the country. We stand for peace and communal harmony, and we will not be silenced.”
