Pradhan calls Rahul Gandhi 'habitual liar', hits out at Congress over 'selective democracy'
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, calling him a 'habitual liar' and accusing the opposition party of practising 'selective democracy'. The remarks came amid an escalating war of words between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress over a range of issues, including governance records and electoral promises.
Speaking to reporters, Pradhan said, "Rahul Gandhi has a habit of making false statements without any basis. His repeated allegations against the government are not only baseless but also undermine the democratic discourse. The Congress party, which has a history of undermining democratic institutions, is now lecturing others on democracy. This is 'selective democracy' at its worst."
The minister's comments were in response to Gandhi's recent statements criticising the central government's handling of the economy, unemployment, and alleged attacks on democratic institutions. Gandhi has been touring the country as part of the Congress's campaign for the upcoming state elections, and has consistently raised issues of crony capitalism and the need for a caste census.
Political observers note that the exchange reflects the intense polarisation ahead of the assembly polls in several states. The BJP has frequently accused the Congress of inconsistency and opportunism, while the Congress has maintained that it is fighting for the preservation of democratic values.
The Congress party has yet to issue a formal response to Pradhan's latest remarks. However, party spokespersons have in the past dismissed such attacks as an attempt to divert attention from the government's failures. "Instead of responding to substantive issues raised by Rahul Gandhi, they resort to personal attacks," a Congress leader said on condition of anonymity.
This is not the first time Pradhan has targeted Gandhi. The Union Education Minister has often been at the forefront of the BJP's counter-offensive against the Congress leadership. His latest salvo comes a day after Gandhi addressed a rally in Maharashtra, where he accused the central government of favouring industrialists and undermining federalism.
The term 'selective democracy' used by Pradhan appears to be a reference to the Congress's alleged tendency to demand democratic accountability only when it suits the party's political interests. The BJP has repeatedly cited instances of Congress imposing Emergency and undermining state governments when in power.
Meanwhile, the political atmosphere is charged as the Election Commission is expected to announce the schedule for the upcoming elections. Both national parties are ramping up their campaigns, with the BJP focusing on development and welfare schemes, and the Congress highlighting issues of social justice and institutional integrity.
Analysts say that while such exchanges energise the respective support bases, they do little to address the substantive concerns of voters. "The public is more interested in issues like prices, jobs, and security. Personal attacks may generate headlines but often fail to influence the ground reality," said a political science professor at a Delhi university.
The use of strong language like 'habitual liar' also raises questions about the tone of political discourse in the country. Political ethics experts argue that such labelling erodes the quality of democracy. "Healthy debate requires respect for the opponent. Calling someone a liar repeatedly without judicial backing sets a poor precedent," they said.
As the election season intensifies, more such exchanges are likely. It remains to be seen whether the focus will shift from personal acrimony to policy debates that affect the common citizen. For now, both parties appear to be entrenched in their positions, with no immediate signs of reconciliation or a change in rhetoric.
