BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused Rahul Gandhi of spreading panic and misinformation after the Congress leader claimed an “institutional revolt” was underway and predicted PM Modi would not remain in office for another year.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused Rahul Gandhi of spreading misinformation after the Congress leader claimed institutions were revolting against the government. (File Photo: IANS)
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Rahul Gandhi, accusing the Congress leader of spreading misinformation and creating panic for political gain, a day after the Leader of Opposition claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may not remain in office for another year and that an “institutional revolt” was underway within the system.
The BJP’s response came after Gandhi, addressing tribal leaders at an event organised by the Adivasi Congress in Delhi, alleged that institutions, including the Election Commission, intelligence agencies and even members of the judiciary, were internally revolting against the government. He also claimed that information about Prime Minister Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other senior leaders was being passed on to him.
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Taking aim at Gandhi’s remarks, Poonawalla said the Congress leader was seeing the possibility of an Emergency everywhere because of his party’s own political history.
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“Rahul Gandhi’s family has a history of Emergency. That is why he thinks everyone wants to impose an Emergency. The Constitution was crushed only once in this country, and that was during Indira Gandhi’s rule,” Poonawalla said in a video statement.
He further alleged that the real crisis existed within the Congress party itself.
“Emergency exists in the Congress party…People are revolting against dynastic politics, and that is why leaders continue to leave the party one after another,” he said.
Poonawalla further accused Gandhi of repeatedly undermining India’s institutions and democratic processes.
“You spread lies about India’s economy when it is the fastest-growing major economy. You campaigned against Indian vaccines. You questioned Operation Sindoor and military actions, and even spoke against India’s democratic strength abroad,” he said.
The BJP spokesperson also criticised Gandhi’s remarks on the electoral system, saying such statements were aimed at creating distrust among citizens.
“Your model is to spread propaganda, create panic and then profit politically from that panic,” Poonawalla alleged.
He urged Gandhi to stop what he termed an “India defamation agenda” and refrain from making claims that could weaken public faith in democratic institutions.
Speaking at the Adivasi Congress event on Wednesday, Gandhi claimed that the political system once controlled by Prime Minister Modi was now “shaken” and “collapsing internally”.
“In my assessment, Modiji will not be the prime minister in a year’s time,” Gandhi said.
The Congress leader also warned of what he described as a looming “economic tsunami”, alleging that economic distress and public anger would increase pressure on institutions.
“On one side, a massive economic tsunami is coming; prices are rising, and this is just the beginning. India will witness such an economic crisis that you have never ever witnessed in your life. This is happening, and no one can stop this. On the other hand, there is an institutional revolt happening within India’s system … the Election Commission (EC) is fully controlled…,” claimed Gandhi.
He claimed that messages were reaching him from the Chief Election Commissioner, intelligence officials and members of the higher judiciary, suggesting that sections of the system were unhappy with the current political situation.
Gandhi further alleged that the government could attempt to impose “something like an Emergency” to deal with rising public pressure.
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