Rahul Gandhi unfit for LoP post, BJP allies back Kishan Reddy's attack
Synopsis
Bihar Minister Ram Kripal Yadav and UP Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar have publicly backed Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy's charge that Rahul Gandhi is 'not worthy' of the Leader of the Opposition post — escalating a BJP-Congress clash rooted in Gandhi's remarks on EVMs and electoral roll revisions. The pile-on signals a coordinated political strategy to delegitimise the LoP ahead of upcoming state contests.
Key Takeaways
Bihar Minister Ram Kripal Yadav on 17 October 2026 backed G.
Kishan Reddy's claim that Rahul Gandhi is unfit for the Leader of the Opposition post.
UP Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar also endorsed Reddy's criticism, comparing Gandhi's conduct to that of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav .
The row was triggered by Kishan Reddy's attack on Gandhi at the BJP state office in Nampally on Friday , rejecting Congress allegations over EVM irregularities and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Reddy also criticised Congress for targeting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar .
The Congress has not officially responded to these specific remarks, according to available reports.
Bihar Minister Ram Kripal Yadav on Saturday, 17 October 2026, backed Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy's sharp criticism of Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi, accusing the Congress leader of making irresponsible statements and conducting himself in a manner unbecoming of his constitutional position. The remarks added fresh fuel to an ongoing political confrontation between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress over Gandhi's conduct and public statements.
What Ram Kripal Yadav Said
'I thank Union Coal Minister G. Kishan Reddy for making the right comments about Rahul Gandhi. He is not worthy of being the Leader of the Opposition. The kind of vulgarity, frivolous remarks and activities he engages in are unbecoming of the position. The Congress is a big party, and its Leader of the Opposition must maintain dignity, just as even an ordinary party worker deserves respect,' Yadav said.
Yadav further alleged that Gandhi had been fomenting disorder and attempting to stall the country's progress. 'In recent days, Rahul Gandhi has resorted to agitation and disorder, attempting to create an atmosphere of anarchy and obstruct the country's development. His actions resemble those of someone working against the nation, and one wonders whether they are being carried out at the behest of foreign forces,' he claimed. The allegation of foreign involvement was made without supporting evidence and should be read as a political charge, not a verified finding.
UP Minister Joins the Chorus
Uttar Pradesh Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar also endorsed Reddy's position, drawing a pointed parallel between Gandhi and Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav. 'He is right. Just as Akhilesh Yadav keeps following whatever is said and does not stand firm on his own statements, Rahul Gandhi also behaves in the same way. He acts irresponsibly, and all his actions are against the country,' Rajbhar alleged.
What Triggered the Row
The chain of reactions was set off on Friday when G. Kishan Reddy launched a pointed attack on LoP Gandhi at the BJP state office in Nampally, accusing him of irresponsible remarks and dismissing Congress allegations of vote theft and irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Reddy questioned the Congress party's targeting of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and challenged the party's broader allegations against the Election Commission of India (ECI) and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
Broader Political Context
This is not the first time BJP-aligned leaders have questioned Gandhi's suitability for the LoP role since he assumed the position. Critics within the ruling alliance have repeatedly used Gandhi's public appearances and statements — including overseas addresses — to paint him as lacking the gravitas required for the post. The Congress, in turn, has maintained that such attacks reflect the government's intolerance of accountability. Notably, the EVM and electoral roll controversy that sparked Reddy's original remarks remains a live political flashpoint, with the opposition pressing for greater scrutiny of the poll process ahead of upcoming state elections.
Point of View
Seeking to neutralise his opposition credibility before state elections. What mainstream coverage underplays is the subtext: the EVM and electoral roll controversy that sparked Reddy's original remarks is substantively unresolved, and attacking the messenger risks looking like deflection. The allegation of Gandhi acting 'at the behest of foreign forces' — made without evidence — is the kind of escalation that, if repeated, could itself become the story.
NationPress
17 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Ram Kripal Yadav say Rahul Gandhi is not worthy of the LoP post?
Bihar Minister Ram Kripal Yadav backed Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy's charge that Rahul Gandhi's conduct — including what he called 'vulgarity' and 'frivolous remarks' — is unbecoming of the Leader of the Opposition position. Yadav argued that a constitutional post of that stature demands dignity that Gandhi, in his view, has not demonstrated.
What triggered G. Kishan Reddy's original attack on Rahul Gandhi?
Kishan Reddy launched his criticism on Friday at the BJP state office in Nampally, specifically rejecting Congress allegations of vote theft and irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. He also questioned the Congress party's targeting of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and its broader campaign against EVMs.
Who else backed Kishan Reddy's remarks against Rahul Gandhi?
Uttar Pradesh Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar joined Bihar Minister Ram Kripal Yadav in endorsing Reddy's position. Rajbhar compared Gandhi's conduct to that of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, alleging both act irresponsibly and inconsistently.
What is the Special Intensive Revision controversy that sparked this row?
The Special Intensive Revision refers to a process of updating electoral rolls that the Congress has alleged was marred by vote theft and irregularities. The party has also targeted the Election Commission and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the exercise, charges which BJP leaders including Kishan Reddy have dismissed as baseless.
How has Congress responded to these attacks?
According to available reports, the Congress party has not issued a specific official response to the remarks made by Ram Kripal Yadav or Om Prakash Rajbhar on Saturday. The party has, however, maintained in the broader context that such attacks reflect the ruling establishment's discomfort with parliamentary accountability.
