Rahul Gandhi Alleges Unfair Play Ahead of Indian Elections

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi alleged that just months before the Indian general elections, the party's bank accounts were sealed, crippling their campaign. Addressing an event in Washington DC, he criticized PM Narendra Modi's government for its tactics and highlighted the broader issues of religious freedoms in India.

In a strongly worded address in the Washington DC metro area, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi claimed that his party's bank accounts were sealed just months ahead of the general elections in India, leaving them without funds for advertising or campaigning. 'Three months before elections our bank accounts were all sealed... We were discussing that now what to do...I said 'Dekhi Jayegi', let's see what we can do .. and we went into the elections...' Gandhi stated.

He recounted discussions with senior Congress members, including Mallikarjun Kharge and the party treasurer, about their financial woes. 'We had no money for advertising or campaigning, no money to transport our leaders. Mallikarjun Kharge and the treasurer were completely demoralized,' he said. Despite the challenges, Gandhi claimed, 'we fought the election with the spirit of 'dekhi jayegi, dekhte hain kya hota hai' (We'll see, let's see what happens).' He made these remarks while addressing an Indian diaspora event in Herndon, Virginia.

Gandhi emphasized the deeper issues at play, beyond politics, pointing to the question of religious freedoms in India. 'You have to understand what this fight is about. It's not just about politics, that's superficial,' he asserted, highlighting concerns whether Sikhs can wear their turbans and other religious expressions. 'The fight is about whether a Sikh will be allowed to wear a turban in India,' he said.

The Congress leader also voiced strong criticism against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, claiming that 'the fear of Prime Minister Narendra Modi' had dissipated following the results of the Lok Sabha elections. 'Something has changed after the elections. PM Modi tried to create an environment of fear through various agencies, media, and the income tax department, but it vanished in one second,' he remarked. Gandhi suggested that the aura surrounding PM Modi and his '56-inch chest' persona has faded.

Earlier, on February 16, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also criticized the Modi government for allegedly freezing the Congress party's bank accounts. 'Power drunk Modi Govt has frozen the accounts of the country's largest Opposition party just before the Lok Sabha elections,' Kharge posted on X. 'This is a deep assault on India's Democracy!'

(With inputs from agencies.)