Lucknow, October 16, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday accused the Congress and Rahul Gandhi of attempting to create political instability under the banner of protecting democracy, alleging that their actions threatened constitutional institutions and could divert young people from contributing to the country’s development.
Addressing a press conference in Lucknow, Singh referred to recent incidents in Delhi and alleged that Congress leaders were using calls for “regime change” to pursue political power through disruption. He claimed that references to Bangladesh during recent press conferences showed that the opposition wanted to bring down the government rather than address concerns relating to the Election Commission or the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
“They simply want power by creating anarchy in the nation,” Singh said, arguing that political differences should not be used to undermine constitutional institutions or obstruct development.
Targeting Rahul Gandhi directly, the Defence Minister said democracy did not give political leaders the licence to create disorder or disregard the law. He urged the Congress leader to respect the people’s mandate and reassess his political approach.
“Rahul Gandhi, instead of causing political disruptions in the name of saving democracy, should respect the people’s choice and undertake a self-evaluation of his political role,” Singh said.
Singh also invoked the Congress party’s record, citing the Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975, the 1984 anti-Sikh violence and the killing of kar sevaks in 1990. He alleged that the party’s current actions continued a pattern of undermining democratic and constitutional values.
“I want to remind you that in 1975, Indira Gandhi put democracy behind bars, and today Rahul Gandhi is trying to create anarchy, carrying the Constitution in his pocket,” he said.
The Defence Minister further accused the Congress of using the Election Commission for political purposes. He cited the appointment of two Election Commissioners in 1993 and a subsequent dispute involving then Chief Election Commissioner T. N. Seshan and Election Commissioner Naveen Chawla.
Singh said Seshan had written to the President seeking Chawla’s removal, alleging that confidential Election Commission information had been shared with Congress leaders. Singh claimed the Congress protected Chawla and later appointed him Chief Election Commissioner.
The remarks came amid political tensions over the Election Commission, the SIR process and opposition allegations concerning electoral practices. Singh’s assertions about the Congress and Rahul Gandhi were made as part of his political attack on the opposition.
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