Rahul Gandhi can be PM only on Kharge's verandah: CM Sarma
Synopsis
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma didn't just dismiss the INDIA Bloc's mock parliament — he turned it into a punchline, saying Rahul Gandhi can be PM only on Kharge's verandah. The jab lands in the middle of a full-scale opposition campaign alleging electoral manipulation, with a Ramlila Maidan rally and a symbolic CEC 'impeachment' already on the scoreboard.
Key Takeaways
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said Rahul Gandhi can become Prime Minister only on ' Mallikarjun Kharge's verandah ' — not in the Lok Sabha.
The INDIA Bloc held mock parliamentary proceedings at Kharge's New Delhi residence on 31 October , framed as a public impeachment of CEC Gyanesh Kumar .
Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar presided; Kharge moved the resolution; Rahul Gandhi delivered closing remarks.
The opposition followed up with a rally at Ramlila Maidan on 1 November , alleging 'vote theft' and demanding ECI accountability.
The BJP has defended the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls as a transparency measure, dismissing the opposition campaign.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, mocking the INDIA Bloc's symbolic parliamentary proceedings held at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi. Sarma said Gandhi could become Prime Minister only on 'Kharge's verandah' — never in the Lok Sabha.
What Sarma Said
'Rahul Gandhi can become Prime Minister only on Mallikarjun Kharge's verandah. He can never become Prime Minister in the Lok Sabha. Narendra Modi will remain the Prime Minister in the Lok Sabha,' the Assam Chief Minister said. Sarma dismissed the opposition's exercise as purely symbolic, asserting that Modi would continue to lead the country.
The Mock Parliament That Triggered the Remarks
On 31 October, opposition leaders convened a mock parliamentary proceeding at Kharge's residence, describing it as a public impeachment of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar presided over the session, while Kharge moved a resolution seeking action against the CEC. Rahul Gandhi delivered the concluding remarks at the event.
Opposition leaders used the forum to accuse the Election Commission of India (ECI) of compromising electoral integrity, raising particular concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The INDIA Bloc has made electoral transparency and ECI accountability central planks of its campaign against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Ramlila Maidan Rally and Opposition's Wider Campaign
The mock proceedings were followed by a large rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on 1 November, where INDIA Bloc leaders reiterated allegations of 'vote theft' and pressed for greater accountability from the Election Commission. The back-to-back events signal a coordinated opposition push to bring electoral integrity into the national spotlight ahead of upcoming polls.
BJP's Counter and the Broader Political Battle
The BJP has questioned the very premise of holding symbolic parliamentary proceedings outside the legislature, arguing that it undermines constitutional institutions. The ruling party has defended the SIR exercise as a measure to ensure accurate voter rolls and strengthen transparency — a position it has maintained consistently against opposition criticism.
Sarma's remarks add to a sustained exchange of fire between the BJP and the Congress over this campaign. This is not the first time the Assam CM has targeted Rahul Gandhi; Sarma has emerged as one of the BJP's most vocal voices on the opposition benches. The political temperature around electoral roll revision and ECI independence is unlikely to cool in the near term.
Point of View
But it obscures a substantive debate the BJP would rather avoid: the opposition's concerns about the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and ECI independence are not fringe — they have drawn a wide coalition to the streets. The BJP's tactic of ridiculing the format rather than engaging the substance is a familiar deflection. What is notable is that the INDIA Bloc's sequential moves — mock parliament, then Ramlila Maidan — suggest a coordinated escalation strategy, not a one-off stunt. Whether the electoral integrity narrative gains traction with voters will depend on whether the opposition can translate rally energy into measurable public trust.
NationPress
3 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma say about Rahul Gandhi?
Sarma said Rahul Gandhi can become Prime Minister only on Mallikarjun Kharge's verandah and can never become PM in the Lok Sabha, asserting that Narendra Modi will continue as the country's Prime Minister. The remarks were made on 3 November in response to the INDIA Bloc's mock parliamentary proceedings.
What was the INDIA Bloc's mock parliament about?
On 31 October, opposition leaders held symbolic parliamentary proceedings at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's New Delhi residence, framing it as a public impeachment of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar presided, and Rahul Gandhi delivered closing remarks.
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls?
The SIR is an electoral roll revision exercise conducted by the Election Commission of India aimed at ensuring accurate voter lists. The BJP has defended it as a transparency measure, while the INDIA Bloc has raised concerns about its conduct and alleged it undermines electoral integrity.
What happened at the Ramlila Maidan rally on 1 November?
INDIA Bloc leaders held a large public rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on 1 November, reiterating allegations of 'vote theft' and demanding greater accountability from the Election Commission. It was a follow-up to the mock parliamentary proceedings held a day earlier.
How has the BJP responded to the INDIA Bloc's campaign?
The BJP has criticised the opposition for holding symbolic parliamentary proceedings outside the legislature, arguing it undermines constitutional institutions. The party has defended the electoral roll revision process and dismissed the opposition's campaign as politically motivated.
