'No vote theft; Rahul Gandhi's mind has been stolen': CM Fadnavis hits back
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis accuses Rahul Gandhi of trying to undermine constitutional institutions and create anarchy in India.
In a scathing verbal attack, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of orchestrating a calculated strategy to destabilize India's democratic framework. Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Fadnavis claimed that Gandhi is using the Constitution as a mere shield to mask a deeper agenda of defaming vital constitutional bodies and inciting public distrust.
Accusations of a 'Design' for Anarchy
Fadnavis asserted that the Congress leader's recent allegations against the Election Commission are part of a larger, more sinister design. According to the Chief Minister, the objective is to foster a sense of anarchy within the country, ultimately convincing citizens that the democratic system established by the Constitution is incapable of delivering justice.
"His plan, his whole strategy, is something else," Fadnavis stated, suggesting that once faith in these institutions is eroded, the goal is to shift the nation toward a socialist or communist system. He argued that Gandhi is systematically targeting several key pillars of the Indian state, including:
- The Election Commission
- The Supreme Court
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
- The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)
Fadnavis questioned the logic behind these attacks, asking whether the Constitution drafted by Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar is so fragile that its institutions could simply collapse under such questioning.
The SIR Controversy and Election Commission Clarification
The political friction intensified following a controversy regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Fadnavis dismissed the news reports that sparked the row as baseless, noting that they lacked any evidentiary support. He highlighted that the truth emerged when all three Election Commissioners issued a joint statement to address the matter.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the Election Commissioners clarified the following points:
- All decisions within the commission are made collectively and unanimously.
- Every agenda item is thoroughly discussed and deliberated upon before a final decision is reached.
- The decision regarding the SIR was a collective one, with no dissenting views recorded on the official files.
"Their lie was completely exposed," Fadnavis remarked, noting that the joint appearance of the commissioners proved that no individual was acting independently or against the consensus of the body.
Clarifying the Cabinet Secretary Letter
Addressing another point of contention, Fadnavis touched upon a letter sent to the Cabinet Secretary. He clarified that the matter was strictly related to an appointment made on deputation and did not involve any significant policy dispute. He maintained that there was no disagreement or debate regarding any overarching government policy in that instance.
A Pattern of Confusion
Concluding his attack, Fadnavis accused Rahul Gandhi of a deliberate attempt to "make people confused" regarding the nation's democratic and constitutional systems. He reminded the public of Gandhi's past political controversies, specifically referencing the 'Chowkidar Chor Hai' narrative and the subsequent apology offered before the Supreme Court, as evidence of a recurring pattern of behavior.