Rahul Gandhi Fires Back at Modi ‘Shakti’ Criticism, Accuses PM of Distorting Words
Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remarks about his usage of the term ‘shakti’ in political discourse, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi hit back on Monday, accusing the PM of consistently distorting his words to fit a narrative. The exchange between the two political figures stemmed from Modi’s accusation that Gandhi and the opposition sought to undermine ‘shakti’, extending the critique to alleged denial of the existence of Lord Ram.
In a fiery retort, Gandhi asserted that he was referring to a broader concept of power that has permeated various institutions in India, including the media, industry, and constitutional bodies. “The power that I mentioned, the power that we are fighting… the mask of that power is Modiji,” Gandhi declared emphatically at a ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ event in Mumbai.
He further elaborated on the nature of this power, labeling it as the “power of corruption and falsehood” rather than religious authority. Gandhi accused Modi of being deeply unsettled whenever confronted with criticism, highlighting alleged misuse of central agencies such as the CBI, ED, and Income Tax Department to target political opponents, particularly ahead of elections.
The discourse didn’t stop there, with Gandhi alluding to a “senior leader” who expressed disillusionment and powerlessness in the face of political pressure. While many speculated that the reference was to former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, who recently joined the BJP amid controversy, Chavan himself denied the insinuation.
Gandhi’s response extended beyond Modi’s critique of his language, touching on issues of farmer distress, crony capitalism, and economic disparity. He accused the Prime Minister of favoring wealthy elites at the expense of ordinary citizens, alleging that Modi’s policies have exacerbated poverty and exacerbated the cost of living crisis in the country.
In the midst of this exchange, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla condemned Gandhi’s remarks as “misogynistic,” adding another layer to the ongoing political sparring between the two parties.
The verbal duel between Rahul Gandhi and Narendra Modi underscores the heightened tension and polarized discourse characterizing Indian politics as the country gears up for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in April/May.