Gujarat BJP calls Rahul Gandhi 'Liar of Opposition', launches statewide campaign
Synopsis
Gujarat BJP's 'Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy' campaign is more than a local counter-offensive — it is a direct, named attack on Rahul Gandhi's credibility as Leader of Opposition, with the party deploying chief ministers, union ministers, and a statewide march network to push back on the SIR electoral roll controversy.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat BJP chief spokesperson Anil Patel called Rahul Gandhi the 'Liar of Opposition' at a press conference in Gandhinagar on 24 October .
The BJP launched a statewide 'Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy' campaign to counter Opposition claims over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The first march is scheduled at Adajan, Surat on Sunday at 5 pm , attended by state BJP president Jagdish Vishwakarma and Union Minister C.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will lead the Ahmedabad march on 27 October ; Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi will attend the Vadodara march on 28 October .
Campaign activities include youth discussions on 'Democracy vs Mobocracy' , student competitions, and outreach involving social media influencers.
Gujarat Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief spokesperson Anil Patel on Saturday, 24 October launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of spreading misleading information about constitutional institutions — including the Election Commission of India (ECI) — over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The BJP simultaneously announced a statewide campaign titled 'Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy' to counter the Opposition's claims.
The Attack on Rahul Gandhi
Addressing a press conference at the BJP's state headquarters in Gandhinagar, Patel did not hold back in his criticism of the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. 'Rahul Gandhi is behaving not as the 'Leader of Opposition' but as the 'Liar of Opposition',' Patel said, accusing Gandhi of prioritising political interests over national interest.
Patel further alleged that the Congress and allied Opposition parties were attempting to 'create distrust in constitutional institutions' through what he described as 'false and misleading information' about the SIR process. 'The Opposition is acting out of political frustration and attempting to mislead the public rather than accepting the people's mandate and playing a constructive role,' he said.
The 'Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy' Campaign
The BJP's counter-offensive will unfold across Gujarat in a series of marches, press conferences, and public outreach events over the coming days. The first march is scheduled for Sunday at Adajan in Surat at 5 pm, to be attended by state BJP president Jagdish Vishwakarma, Union Minister C. R. Patil, and state general secretary Prashant Korat.
On 27 October, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will lead the march in Ahmedabad, with state general secretary Ajay Brahmbhatt also present. A simultaneous march in Rajkot on the same day will see the participation of Union Ministers Mansukh Mandaviya and Nimuben Bambhaniya, along with Vishwakarma, state co-in-charge Ajay Mahawar, and state general secretary Aniruddh Dave.
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi will attend the Vadodara march on 28 October, accompanied by state general secretary Hitendrasinh Chauhan. The BJP said the marches would bring together state ministers, MPs, MLAs, party office-bearers, traders' associations, women's groups, NGO representatives, and social media influencers.
What the Campaign Will Cover
Beyond the marches, the BJP plans press conferences across districts and cities, discussions with eminent citizens, and youth interactions under the theme 'Democracy vs Mobocracy'. Student competitions on strengthening democracy and outreach programmes involving social media influencers are also on the agenda.
Youth discussions are set to cover India's democratic history, the role of constitutional institutions, the Congress' past use of Article 356, President's Rule in various states, restrictions on the press during the Emergency, institutional autonomy, and issues of infiltration and national interest — themes the BJP has frequently deployed to put the Congress on the defensive.
The Broader Context
The campaign comes amid a sustained political battle over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which the Opposition has alleged is being misused. The BJP has consistently denied these charges and accused the Congress of undermining public confidence in the ECI for electoral gains. Notably, this is not the first time the Gujarat BJP has organised a mass campaign in response to Opposition criticism — the party has used similar statewide mobilisations ahead of key political cycles in the state.
The BJP maintained that the campaign is intended to 'present facts in response to the Opposition's claims about SIR and strengthen public confidence in democratic and constitutional institutions.' How the Congress responds — and whether the SIR controversy gains further traction nationally — will determine the political temperature in Gujarat in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
The BJP seeks to delegitimise his institutional standing rather than just rebut his arguments on SIR. The statewide march machinery, involving union ministers and the chief minister, signals that the party sees the electoral roll controversy as a threat worth mobilising against at scale. What is missing from this political theatre is a substantive public accounting of the SIR process itself — the BJP's campaign is framed entirely as a counter-narrative exercise, not a transparency drive. That gap is precisely where the Opposition's critique will continue to find oxygen.
NationPress
24 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Gujarat BJP call Rahul Gandhi the 'Liar of Opposition'?
Gujarat BJP chief spokesperson Anil Patel used the phrase on 24 October to accuse Rahul Gandhi of spreading misleading information about constitutional institutions, particularly the Election Commission of India, in connection with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Patel alleged the Congress was acting out of political frustration rather than engaging constructively.
What is the BJP's 'Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy' campaign?
It is a statewide campaign launched by the Gujarat BJP to counter Opposition allegations over the SIR of electoral rolls. It includes marches in Surat, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, and Vadodara between 24 and 28 October, along with press conferences, youth discussions, and outreach programmes across the state.
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls?
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a process conducted by the Election Commission of India to update and clean up voter rolls. The Opposition has alleged it is being misused, while the BJP has denied these claims and accused the Congress of undermining public confidence in the ECI.
Which BJP leaders will attend the campaign marches?
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will attend the Ahmedabad march on 27 October, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi will lead the Vadodara march on 28 October, and Union Ministers C. R. Patil, Mansukh Mandaviya, and Nimuben Bambhaniya will participate in Surat and Rajkot events. State BJP president Jagdish Vishwakarma will also be present at multiple venues.
What topics will the BJP's youth discussions cover?
The youth discussions, held under the theme 'Democracy vs Mobocracy', will cover India's democratic history, the role of constitutional institutions, the Congress' past use of Article 356 and President's Rule, press restrictions during the Emergency, institutional autonomy, and issues of infiltration and national interest.
