Is Rahul Gandhi's Opposition to the SIR Process Protecting Infiltrators?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari criticizes Rahul Gandhi's allegations regarding the SIR process.
- The Bihar Election Commission reported no appeals from Congress or RJD about the electoral roll.
- Bhandari claims Gandhi's narrative lacks support from grassroots party members.
- Internal rifts in the Congress-RJD alliance are becoming evident.
- Bhandari demands an apology from Gandhi for insulting the people of Bihar.
New Delhi, Oct 9 (NationPress) BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari has launched a fierce critique of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the lead-up to the Bihar Assembly elections, accusing him of orchestrating a “false propaganda campaign” centered around issues like ‘vote theft’ and the SIR process.
During a press conference in New Delhi on Thursday, Bhandari noted that the Bihar Election Commission confirmed that no appeals were lodged by any booth-level agents or party members from the Congress or RJD concerning the final electoral roll.
He asserted that this “zero appeal status” reveals the baselessness of Rahul Gandhi’s claims regarding electoral manipulation.
“Rahul Gandhi traversed the streets of Bihar, alleging that votes were being pilfered and that SIR was detrimental to the poor. But now it is evident that not even his party workers subscribed to this narrative,” Bhandari stated.
He emphasized that even the grassroots factions of the RJD and Congress view Rahul Gandhi as a “flop show” in Bihar politics.
Bhandari accused Rahul Gandhi of opposing the SIR process solely to “shield infiltrators”, asserting that his objections had nothing to do with the genuine concerns of the Bihar populace.
“This clearly indicates that the issues Rahul Gandhi attempted to highlight in the Bihar elections lacked any grounding in reality,” he commented.
He further articulated that the Congress and RJD factions in Bihar did not endorse Rahul Gandhi’s assertions, suggesting a palpable internal discord among alliance partners.
Accusing Rahul Gandhi of “disrespecting the people of Bihar”, Bhandari demanded a public apology. “By opposing SIR, he insulted the impoverished of Bihar by labeling them as thieves. An apology is warranted,” he remarked.
Bhandari also referenced former Home Minister P. Chidambaram’s comments regarding the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
He queried who in the UPA government prevented India from retaliating against Pakistan, questioning whether the Gandhi-Vadra family had any influence on that decision.
Quoting from former Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon’s book, Bhandari claimed that significant officials favored retaliation, yet the government opted for restraint—a decision he insinuated was politically motivated.