Has Rahul Gandhi Really Shifted from 'Mohabbat Ki Dukaan' to 'Jhoot Ki Dukaan'?
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Synopsis
In a recent statement, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi criticized Rahul Gandhi's allegations against the Election Commission, asserting that they reflect a shift from 'Mohabbat Ki Dukaan' to 'Jhoot Ki Dukaan'. As the political landscape heats up, Joshi's remarks raise questions about accountability and the role of constitutional institutions in India's democracy.
Key Takeaways
- Pralhad Joshi criticized Rahul Gandhi's accusations against the ECI.
- He highlighted a historical context of Congress's past actions.
- Rahul Gandhi did not appear for the ECI summons, raising questions about his credibility.
- Claims of new voter registrations post-elections were clarified by the ECI.
- Joshi argues for the integrity of the electoral process.
Bengaluru, Aug 8 (NationPress) Union Food and Public Distribution Minister Pralhad Joshi criticized the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, for his allegations against the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing it of aiding the BJP's electoral victories. He remarked that Rahul Gandhi has transitioned from 'Mohabbat Ki Dukaan' to 'Jhoot Ki Dukaan'.
“Rahul Gandhi’s mentality is evident. While Congress was in power, it was termed 'Loot Ki Dukaan'. During elections, it became 'Mohabbat Ki Dukaan', and following electoral defeats, it has turned into 'Jhoot Ki Dukaan'. He shows no regard for constitutional institutions,” Joshi stated.
The Union Minister highlighted that Congress had a history of imposing Emergency, censoring newspapers and television, banning Kishore Kumar's songs, and imprisoning opposition leaders such as Jayaprakash Narayan.
“As the saying goes, ‘Those who can’t dance blame the floor.’ Rahul Gandhi exhibits similar behavior, making unfounded accusations against the Election Commission is sheer folly,” he asserted.
He noted that the ECI had invited LoP Rahul Gandhi for clarification regarding his allegations, but he failed to appear, indicating the lack of substance in his claims.
“Rahul Gandhi behaves like a 'hit and run' case. He makes arbitrary statements and vanishes when questioned. He didn’t file any formal complaints. Although he was in Bengaluru, he avoided visiting the Election Commission despite being summoned between 1 pm and 3 pm, opting instead to send someone else. Why send a representative if the allegations were his own?” he asked.
Joshi argued that despite the ECI's requests for affidavits concerning allegations made in Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Haryana, Rahul Gandhi has not provided any, undermining his claims.
“Initially, it was EVMs; now, the Election Commission is under fire. Yet, no evidence has been submitted in court. Now he demands CCTV footage, which is usually retained for only 45 days. How can it be retrieved now?” he questioned.
He stated that around 9 lakh objections were submitted in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka, yet not a single election petition emerged from Congress. If there were issues with voting or electoral rolls, why didn’t they raise objections?
“In every election, BLA (Booth Level Agents) monitor the booths. If there were irregularities in Mahadevapura, why didn’t Congress BLAs notice them? Were they unaware? The draft voter list is accessible to all candidates and political parties. If malpractice existed, why didn’t they identify it then? Why didn’t they file an election petition post-results? Were the candidates oblivious, or was Rahul Gandhi in a different realm?” he posited.
He noted that the BJP led in five out of six assembly segments within Bangalore Central. Only one segment witnessed a significant loss. In Sirsi, although it is a BJP stronghold, a loss occurred. Does this imply EVMs or the EC failed there as well?
“Following the Maharashtra elections, they claimed 70 lakh new voters were enrolled. Then it escalated to 1 crore. The ECI clarified that only 40 lakh new voters were added, which is standard. Still, Rahul Gandhi continues to throw around exaggerated figures,” Joshi remarked.
“In 2004 and 2009, more new voters were added during the UPA government than now. In 2024, the increase was 4.7 percent, in 2009 it was 4.1 percent, and in 2014 it was 3.4 percent. Under NDA, it’s 4.4 percent. There’s no rationale behind these accusations. Ironically, they won when voter additions were highest,” Joshi concluded.
Point of View
The ongoing exchange between Pralhad Joshi and Rahul Gandhi highlights the complexities of Indian politics. While accusations and counter-accusations are common, it is crucial to uphold the integrity of constitutional institutions like the Election Commission. Constructive dialogue is essential for a healthy democracy.
NationPress
30/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Pralhad Joshi accuse Rahul Gandhi of?
Pralhad Joshi accused Rahul Gandhi of making baseless allegations against the Election Commission, suggesting that his shift in rhetoric reflects a lack of respect for constitutional institutions.
What historical references did Joshi make regarding Congress?
Joshi referred to Congress's past actions, including imposing Emergency, censoring media, and jailing opposition leaders, to illustrate his point about Rahul Gandhi's credibility.
How did Rahul Gandhi respond to the Election Commission's summons?
Rahul Gandhi failed to appear before the Election Commission despite being summoned, which Joshi claims undermines the validity of his allegations.
What were the voter registration claims made after the Maharashtra elections?
Following the Maharashtra elections, claims of 70 lakh to 1 crore new voters were made, but the Election Commission clarified that only 40 lakh new voters were registered.
What is Joshi's stance on the current electoral process?
Joshi maintains that the electoral process is transparent and questions the lack of evidence from Congress regarding alleged irregularities.
