Rahul Gandhi's Gaffes Give 'Shakti' to BJP in Run-Up to Poll Battle as Congress Battles 'Anti-Hindu' Label

One of the first lessons given in political discourse is to mind what you say. And if there are elections around the corner, the need for checks is even greater. This is exactly why many are left wondering why Rahul Gandhi’s words are making things difficult for him and his party.

The latest gaffe came at the grand finale of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Mumbai. What Gandhi perhaps wanted to say was that BJP was using the Enforcement Directorate, Central Bureau of Investigation, and EVMs to win polls and scare netas into joining them. But what he ended up saying — “in Hindu dharma, there is Shakti, and we are fighting that Shakti”— just made the BJP chuckle in glee and his party colleague scratch their heads.

The Congress defended Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge said: “The Shakti remark Rahul Gandhi was talking about… I will openly say that Modi-ji has this Shakti in the form of RSS and ‘Manuvaad’. They want to rush us using this Shakti.”

The BJP, meanwhile, attacked Gandhi for being a misogynist and anti-hindu. Party leader Amit Malviya said: “Rahul Gandhi is not just Hinduphobic but also a misogynist. This is the true character of the Congress-led INDIA bloc.”

This is not the first time that Gandhi’s comments have earned him this tag. Recently, during his yatra, he alleged that youth in Kashi were found drunk; that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is using Lord Ram to divert the attention of people; and that Bharat Mata was killed in Manipur.

In a post-Ram Mandir scenario, the BJP hopes this emotion helps it achieve the “370 Paar” target. Also, the Lord Ram emotion transcends North India. The prime minister has travelled to many Ram temples in the South to make the point that people across the country have devotion for Lord Ram.

The Congress’ decision to skip the Pran Pratishtha of the Ayodhya temple has earned it some disquiet within the party, with some leaders choosing to quit.

Rahul Gandhi’s words have often silenced many within his party into despair. While not many speak openly, there is apprehension that his words — which seem anti-Hindu — will hurt those who have to hit the ground.

Unfortunately, the Congress leader’s words only give ‘Shakti’ to BJP against the INDIA bloc as many in the Grand Old Party look on helplessly.