The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has launched a sharp critique of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra following her appointment as the chairperson of the party's screening committee for the upcoming Assam assembly elections. NDA leaders have framed the move as emblematic of the Congress's reliance on dynastic politics and suggested it hints at internal discord.
Dynastic Politics and Internal Tussle Allegations
Bihar's Industries Minister and former state BJP chief, Dilip Jaiswal, set the tone by remarking that the era where a king's son automatically became his heir is over. He questioned whether the Congress had any prominent leaders beyond Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. Contrasting this with the BJP, he cited the example of a 45-year-old party worker from Patna being appointed as a national working president, urging the Congress to learn and promote ordinary workers.
Escalating the attack, JD(U) national spokesman Rajeev Ranjan Prasad alleged that Priyanka Gandhi's new responsibility reflects an internal power struggle within both the Gandhi family and the Congress organization. He claimed the party leadership was seeking to sideline her by assigning her a role in Assam, where he asserted the Congress is headed for certain defeat against the well-performing BJP government.
A "Wing-Clipping" Exercise Ahead of Polls?
Prasad presented a detailed conspiracy theory, stating, "Since there has been a tug of war going on in the Congress as well as the family of Rahul Gandhi over the leadership role, as many in their party think Priyanka can better lead the party than her brother, the Rahul camp has sent her to Assam to clip her wings and blame her as Congress will definitely lose the assembly polls there as well."
He also referenced recent remarks by Priyanka Gandhi's husband, Robert Vadra, who had expressed that his wife has a bright political future and that people would like to see her in a top position. Vadra's comments came in response to a Congress MP's suggestion that Priyanka could be a strong prime minister like Indira Gandhi.
This criticism comes as the Congress prepares to contest the Assam elections in an alliance with other opposition parties, aiming to unseat the BJP. Internally, a section of the Congress has been advocating for a larger role for Priyanka Gandhi following the party's successive electoral defeats.
NDA Also Targets Lalu Prasad in IRCTC Case
The NDA leaders did not stop at targeting the Congress. They also aimed at RJD chief Lalu Prasad regarding his appeal in the IRCTC case, which is scheduled to be heard by the Delhi High Court on Monday. While acknowledging that approaching a higher court is a legal option, Prasad (JD-U) asserted, "However, they will face punishment for the wrongdoings Lalu and his family members committed."
Dilip Jaiswal added that investigating agencies have already presented evidence against Lalu Prasad in court. "The matter is in court, and whatever order the court issues, everyone, including Lalu, will have to abide by it constitutionally," he stated, emphasizing the rule of law.
The dual attack highlights the NDA's strategy to keep the opposition on the defensive on multiple fronts—questioning the Congress's leadership model and keeping the spotlight on corruption allegations against rival leaders as the political landscape heats up.
