'We Want to Change Govt via Polls': Pawan Khera Slams Rajnath Singh
Congress leader Pawan Khera rejects Rajnath Singh's claims of unstable regime change, asserting that government shifts happen via elections.
Congress leader Pawan Khera has launched a scathing counter-attack on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, asserting that the Opposition's goal is to change the government through the democratic process of elections. This response comes after the Defence Minister accused the Congress and its allies of attempting a "regime change" in India, drawing parallels to recent unrest in Bangladesh.
The Clash Over 'Regime Change'
Addressing a press conference at the AICC Office in New Delhi, Pawan Khera questioned the logic behind the Defence Minister's allegations. He argued that in a robust democracy like India, changing the ruling power is a standard political objective achieved through the ballot box.
Khera highlighted the party's current political stance, mentioning their ongoing campaign 'Vote Chor Gaddi Chhodd'. He stated that the Opposition is openly declaring its intent to defeat the current government and overhaul the existing system, questioning why Rajnath Singh felt the need to raise alarms about an objective the Opposition has already made public.
"The intent of the Opposition is always to change the regime through elections... They are not habitual of democracy anymore," Khera remarked.
Historical Precedents and Democratic Norms
To further illustrate his point, Khera pointed back to Indian political history, specifically citing the events of 1977. He questioned whether the change of government during that period was not also a form of regime change, arguing that whenever an Opposition movement takes to the streets, the ruling party tends to label it as an attempt to destabilize the state.
He reiterated that the only legitimate way a regime changes in India is through the electoral process, dismissing the notion that current protests are an attempt to bypass democratic norms.
The Defence Minister's Allegations
The controversy ignited after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke in Lucknow, where he accused the Congress and its allies of exploiting youth-led protests against the Election Commission. Singh alleged that the Opposition is attempting to fuel political unrest and destabilize the nation by using young people as "pawns in the politics of disorder."
The Defence Minister expressed concern over recent developments in Delhi, suggesting that the energy of the youth is being diverted away from nation-building and constructive activities, and is instead being channeled into instruments of political confrontation and chaos.
Context of the Conflict
The tension between the Union Government and the Congress party has escalated following a series of protests staged by the Congress and its allies. These demonstrations have specifically targeted the electoral process and the functioning of the Election Commission, leading the government to accuse the Opposition of trying to incite instability similar to the political upheavals seen in Bangladesh.