‘Rahul Gandhi’s PM dream will never come true’: Amit Shah slams INDIA bloc over Delhi rally

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the INDIA bloc over their rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, warning that their politics of “negativity and obstruction” would keep them out of power for another five years. Shah also accused the Congress of hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community by holding the protest on the anniversary of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Addressing a gathering in Chandigarh, Shah criticised the Opposition's 'Chalo Delhi' march, organised to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and the removal of names from electoral rolls.

Targeting the INDIA bloc's approach to politics, Shah said disrupting Parliament, spreading negativity and taking legislative disputes to the streets would not help the Opposition regain public support.

“Lying, spreading chaos, propagating negativity, obstructing the functioning of Parliament, and taking parliamentary issues to the streets to create a ruckus, if this has been your nature, then get ready to spend another five years in the opposition,” he said.

‘Sonia Gandhi's dream of seeing her son as PM remains unfulfilled’

Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi's political ambitions, Shah said Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's dream of seeing her son become Prime Minister remained unfulfilled after three successive electoral defeats.

“For fifteen years, effectively spanning three elections, he has been losing. Sonia-ji’s dream of seeing her son become Prime Minister remains unfulfilled. She has come up with a new approach: holding a 'mock parliament'. I would like to tell Rahul-ji: if you want to be Prime Minister, then just stay in a 'mock parliament' for the rest of your life, because your turn is never going to come,” Shah said.

He also accused Rahul Gandhi of disrupting Parliament to prevent the implementation of 33 per cent reservation for women.

“Rahul ji, you disrupt the functioning of Parliament, all to prevent mothers and sisters from securing 33% reservation. Rahul Baba, let me tell you this: it is this very Narendra Modi ji who will ensure that the women of India, our 'Matrushakti', receive 33% reservation; this is our firm resolve,” he said.

Shah accuses Congress of hurting 1984 riot victims

The Home Minister also questioned the INDIA bloc's decision to hold its rally on November 1, a date associated with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He accused the Congress of “rubbing salt into the wounds” of victims and their families.

Recalling the violence that followed the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Shah said thousands of Sikhs were killed in Delhi, while many families were destroyed and survivors forced to flee their homes.

“On November 1, 1984, thousands of Sikhs were brutally murdered in Delhi during riots incited by the Congress party. Thousands were burned alive. Many Sikhs were forced to abandon everything and flee. Countless children were left orphaned, many women were widowed, and many families saw their homes destroyed,” he said.

Shah also referred to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's controversial remark following the violence.

“The Prime Minister at the time, Rajiv Gandhi, made a statement, and I can never forget it, in which he remarked, 'When a big tree falls, the earth shakes.' Only Congress leaders could describe the brutal massacre of thousands of Sikhs in such a manner. Years have passed since then,” he said.

Claiming that the Modi government had taken steps to deliver justice to the victims, Shah said cases against those accused in the riots were reopened and financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh was provided to each victim. He also claimed that key Congress leaders had been sent to prison.

“When Narendra Modi’s government came to power, we reopened all the cases against the rioters, provided financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to each of the victims, and ensured that key Congress leaders were put behind bars,” he said.

“India had never witnessed, nor will it ever witness again, riots incited by a political party in this fashion,” he added.

Shah alleged that the BJP had urged the Congress to avoid holding its rally on November 1, 2 and 3, but the Opposition went ahead with the programme.

“Our party held a press conference requesting that they not hold the event on November 1, 2, and 3, the very days the anti-Sikh riots took place, as it would deeply hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community, including mothers, sisters, and children. But they remained adamant. Orders were issued from abroad to hold the rally on the very day that thousands of Sikhs were burned alive,” he alleged.

“From this land of the Gurus, I strongly condemn this vile attempt. I condemn this. India and Punjab will never be able to forget this,” the Home Minister said.

Shah warns Delhi traders will reject Congress

Shah also criticised the INDIA bloc for holding its rally despite appeals from Delhi's business community to postpone it until after Diwali.

He said traders had written letters and held press conferences three times, requesting the Opposition to change the date because the festive period was crucial for their businesses.

“Traders in Delhi pleaded with them, explaining that they have only one week in the entire year when the bulk of their business takes place. 'If we stock up on sweets and they don't sell, what happens? We suffer a loss. If we stock up on firecrackers and they don't sell, what happens? We suffer a loss,'” Shah said.

He further claimed that the Congress would continue to struggle electorally in Delhi.

“I want to tell the leaders of the Congress party today: the small traders of Delhi have ensured that you haven't been able to open an account, that is, win a single seat, in the last three elections. And mark my words: you won't be able to open an account in the next three elections either,” he said.

‘India will be drug-free by December 31, 2029’

Turning to the government's agenda, Shah said the Narendra Modi-led Centre would make India, including Punjab, free from drugs by December 31, 2029.

“On one hand, Narendra Modi-ji is propelling the nation forward at an extraordinary pace. Article 370 has been abolished; Naxalism has been brought to an end; 'Triple Talaq' has been abolished,” he said.

“Now, mark my words: by December 31, 2029, we will ensure that the entire country, including Punjab, is completely free from the menace of drugs,” Shah added.

Meanwhile, the BJP organised a 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' (Save Democracy, End Anarchy) march in West Delhi to commemorate the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The party accused the Congress of holding a political rally on the anniversary of the violence, turning the INDIA bloc's protest into a broader political confrontation between the ruling party and the Opposition.

(With ANI inputs)