BJP-Congress clash over Rahul Gandhi's Pune youth event; both sides trade barbs
Pune, August 23: A youth outreach programme led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Pune on Saturday has triggered a sharp political exchange between the BJP and the Congress, with each side accusing the other of misrepresenting facts and motives.
The BJP's Maharashtra vice-president Keshav Upadhye on Sunday described the event, titled 'Chhatron Ki Goonj', as a “political comedy show”, alleging that the Congress leader made political statements instead of addressing issues concerning students. He further claimed that students were brought in college buses to attend the programme, turning it into a political gathering in the name of students.
“Rahul Gandhi's Pune event was yet another political comedy show,” Upadhye said in a statement, adding that the speech was full of “big statements and familiar allegations” but failed to address the Congress's own record.
Upadhye also questioned the Congress's stand on women's reservation, and alleged that the party had opposed the candidature of tribal leader Droupadi Murmu for the post of President of India and the law against triple talaq. “While searching for Manuwad, the Congress should first look in the mirror,” he said.
The BJP leader claimed that the Congress, unable to counter the development work of the Narendra Modi government, was trying to raise issues of caste and religion. “Frustration over losing power, anger over electoral defeats and fear of Modi have together resulted in this so-called comedy show by Rahul Gandhi,” he charged.
Responding to these remarks, Congress national secretary Sachin Sawant said the BJP was rattled by the response to Rahul Gandhi's interaction with students in Pune. He claimed that the ruling party had lost sleep over Gandhi's growing appeal among youngsters.
Sawant also attacked Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who was scheduled to hold a separate interaction with Gen Z members later on Sunday in Nagpur. He alleged that the state government had “trampled their hopes, aspirations, dreams and future” and wondered whether the session would include preaching about patriarchal values.
“Perhaps the chief minister will tell them about the importance of Manusmriti, that the patriarchal system is good, and that the RSS and VHP will decide what women should wear, say and how they should behave,” Sawant said in a statement.
He took a swipe at Fadnavis's “Youth Icon” image, saying merely claiming the title does not make one a youth icon. Sawant claimed that the BJP had been alarmed by the “unprecedented response” to Gandhi's event, adding: “Despite shutting down the metro, imposing several restrictions and resorting to hooliganism, a huge number of young women turned up.”
“This has shaken the BJP and it appears that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Fadnavis have lost sleep. But this fear is good,” he said.
Rahul Gandhi, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, interacted with students in Pune as part of his party's youth outreach programme. The event drew large crowds, though the rival parties remain divided on its significance and conduct.
The exchange reflects the broader political rivalry between the two parties ahead of upcoming elections, with both using youth engagement platforms to bolster their appeal.
