Prasad Slams Rahul Gandhi: 'They Want to Spread Anarchy'
BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad accuses Rahul Gandhi of spreading anarchy and attempting to return to ballot papers to facilitate booth capturing.
BJP Member of Parliament Ravi Shankar Prasad launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday, accusing him of attempting to spread anarchy across the nation. The remarks come in response to recent protests by INDIA Bloc MPs in Delhi regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Accusations of Fomenting Unrest
Prasad expressed sharp criticism of Rahul Gandhi's presence in sensitive areas of the capital, suggesting that the Congress leader is actively fostering instability. He alleged that Gandhi is attempting to create widespread unrest by repeatedly questioning the integrity of constitutional institutions.
"They want to spread anarchy in the country. Rahul Gandhi is sitting in one of Delhi's most sensitive areas, fomenting anarchy," Prasad stated during his address.
The Ballot Paper vs. Technology Debate
A central point of the BJP leader's attack was the opposition's stance on voting technology. Prasad alleged that Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and other opposition figures are pushing for a return to ballot papers because they are unable to secure victories using electronic voting technology.
The BJP MP made a serious allegation regarding the motives behind this demand:
- Prasad claimed the opposition wants to return to ballot papers because they cannot win using "honest technology."
- He suggested this shift is a tactic to facilitate booth capturing.
- He warned that such a system could be used to disenfranchise Dalits and poor voters in rural areas by tampering with ballot boxes.
Defending the SIR Process
Addressing the controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, Prasad defended the legitimacy of the process. He cited Supreme Court proceedings to argue that the revision is legally sound.
"You, along with several other parties, approached the Supreme Court. In its verdict on May 26, the Supreme Court explained in detail that the SIR process is legally valid," Prasad noted, questioning why the opposition continues to object to a process that has been upheld by the highest court.
Prasad further pointed out discrepancies in the opposition's arguments by referencing recent election results. He noted that in several states, the opposition failed to secure significant victories, questioning their dissatisfaction with the electoral process despite various wins and losses in states like Kerala, Bengal, Bihar, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Delhi.
Disrespecting the Public Mandate
The BJP leader accused the opposition of undermining the democratic will of the people. He argued that by seeking the cancellation of elections where winners have already been declared, the opposition is showing blatant disrespect to the public mandate.
Prasad also took aim at Gandhi's treatment of national institutions. He claimed that Rahul Gandhi shows a lack of respect for the Supreme Court, the Election Commission, and the Indian Army. He specifically condemned previous disparaging remarks made by Gandhi regarding the Army Chief and recent allegations leveled against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
"Rahul Gandhi is an anarchist; he is irresponsible," Prasad concluded, asserting that such conduct would ultimately fail to find acceptance from the public.