Deputy CM Arun Sao criticizes Rahul Gandhi’s Inaugural Speech as LoP, Accuses Him of Lies and Baseless Statements

Raipur Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao accused Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi of filling his inaugural speech with lies, despair, and baseless statements. Addressing the media at the party’s city office in the state capital on Tuesday, Sao criticized Gandhi’s conduct during his speech, deeming it far from parliamentary decorum.Sao specifically referred to Gandhi’s statement in the Lok Sabha on Monday, where Gandhi said, “Jo Log Apne Aapko Hindu Kehte Hai, who sirf Hinsha aur Nafrat faailate hai, aur Jhuth bolte hai” (Those who call themselves Hindus only spread violence, hatred, and lies). Sao argued that Gandhi’s remarks came from his mind and soul, and he accused Gandhi of demeaning and weakening the dignity of the Leader of Opposition post. Sao claimed that Gandhi’s statement saddened the entire country and warranted severe condemnation.

Despite Gandhi’s attempt to mitigate his speech after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s objection, Sao insisted that the damage was already done. He highlighted that Gandhi’s demand for the restoration of the expunged parts of his speech indicated an intentional targeting of Hindus. Sao pointed out that Gandhi did not mention the President’s address during the Lok Sabha discussion, even as a formality, and accused Gandhi of speaking only lies.Sao urged senior Congress leaders to educate Gandhi on maintaining India’s parliamentary decorum. He condemned Gandhi’s speech, asserting that it gravely insulted Hindus by labeling them violent, hateful, and liars. Additionally, Sao accused Gandhi of lying about the Agniveer scheme, farmers, Ayodhya, and microphones. He demanded that Gandhi apologize to the public for insulting Hindus and making false statements in the House.

Sao argued that such behavior was typical of Congress, referencing former Union Home Ministers P. Chidambaram and Sushil Shinde, who also labeled Hindus as terrorists. He suggested that Congress and its supporters would make excuses for Gandhi but maintained that Gandhi’s accusations against Hindus were clear.Sao criticized Gandhi’s silence on issues in West Bengal, the intentions of Hizb-ut-Tahir in Tamil Nadu, and violence incited by his ally in Kerala, while consistently maligning Hindus. He recalled Gandhi’s 2021 statement about expelling Hindutva supporters and earlier remarks about temple-goers. Sao mentioned that on January 20, 2013, then Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde accused BJP and RSS of running violent activities and training camps, and later expressed regret. Sao suggested that Gandhi should learn from Shinde and express regret.Sao also criticized Gandhi’s comments on Abhay Mudra, stating that the way Lord Shiva’s image was displayed in Parliament was highly objectionable. He mentioned that the Lok Sabha Speaker had remarked that deities’ images shouldn’t be presented in such a manner. Sao refuted Gandhi’s claim that no compensation is given to martyrs in the Agniveer scheme, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh confirming that martyrs receive Rs 1 crore in compensation.Sao exposed Gandhi’s false statement about the government not providing MSP to farmers, with Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh confirming ongoing MSP purchases. Sao accused Gandhi of making irresponsible comments about the Lok Sabha Speaker’s constitutional position. He recalled Congress’s history of weakening constitutional systems, mentioning the National Advisory Committee chaired by Sonia Gandhi during the UPA government and Indira Gandhi’s actions against Parliament, the judiciary, and the bureaucracy.Sao concluded by noting that Gandhi lacks understanding of Indian cultural behavior, as evidenced by the Presiding Officer repeatedly asking him not to turn his back on the Speaker while speaking. Sao highlighted the fall in the debate’s standard, emphasizing that such a level of discourse was previously unimaginable.