Former Rajasthan Leader of the Opposition Rajendra Rathore on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, calling his backing of a recent student protest a 'political gimmick' and alleging it undermined the dignity of democratic institutions. Rathore made the remarks in Jaipur, accusing the Congress of resorting to political theatrics to compensate for its shrinking public support.

Rathore's Core Allegations Against Rahul Gandhi

Rathore alleged that Gandhi, while occupying a responsible constitutional position as Leader of the Opposition, had attempted to politicise the students' agitation for partisan advantage. He noted that the protesting students had already held discussions with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Union Minister J.P. Nadda, who reportedly listened to their grievances and initiated steps to address their demands.

'The focus should now be on constructive dialogue rather than political drama,' Rathore said. He further alleged that the Congress was seeking to divert attention from India's economic growth by manufacturing unnecessary political controversies.

Attack on Ashok Gehlot Over Paper Leak Record

Rathore also trained his sights on former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, calling it ironic that Gehlot was now participating in protests over student issues. He alleged that during the previous Congress government in Rajasthan, question paper leaks occurred in 17 consecutive recruitment examinations, severely affecting the futures of lakhs of job aspirants.

Rathore further claimed that appointments were compromised during that period and pointed to the arrest of former Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) member Babulal Katara, alleging the episode had damaged the credibility of the constitutional recruitment body. He also alleged that students who had protested against paper leaks under the previous regime were subjected to police action, including lathi-charges, and that the then Chief Minister refused to meet them.

'Today, the Congress is expressing concern for students, but such political gimmicks will not erase its past record,' Rathore said.

BJP's Counter-Claim on Employment and Transparency

Rathore asserted that the BJP governments at the Centre and in Rajasthan were delivering employment through transparent recruitment processes. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for a significant boost in employment generation, citing initiatives such as job fairs and recruitment drives.

He also claimed that India's unemployment rate is currently at one of its lowest levels, and alleged that Rajasthan ranked second in the country for unemployment during the Congress government's tenure — a claim the Congress has not yet publicly responded to.

Political Context

This comes amid a broader national debate over student protests linked to recruitment irregularities and examination paper leaks. The BJP and Congress have both sought to occupy the political high ground on the issue, with the student community caught in the crossfire. Notably, Rathore's remarks signal that the ruling BJP intends to use the Congress's record in Rajasthan as a counter-narrative ahead of any further escalation of the protest movement.