Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, questioning his style of political outreach and contrasting it with the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) direct connect with the people. Speaking in an exclusive interview with news agency ANI, Shah stressed that there is a fundamental difference between managing a program and genuinely communicating with the public.

According to Shah, the Congress under Rahul Gandhi has been over-reliant on social media-driven narratives, particularly reels on platforms like Instagram, portraying a picture of mass connect. However, he dismissed these efforts as “mere program management” lacking authenticity and depth. He added that the BJP’s strength lies in its grassroots interactions and direct conversations with people across villages, towns, and cities of India.

Rahul Gandhi’s Social Media Push

Over the past few months, Rahul Gandhi has intensified his social media presence, frequently releasing reels showcasing his outreach efforts, meetings with farmers, interactions with youth, and criticisms of the Modi government. These reels often garner millions of views and are widely shared across platforms.

Shah, however, rejected this model of engagement, saying:

“They (Congress) want to create a kind of illusion among the people. And they will definitely not succeed, because our direct interaction with the people is many times greater than theirs.”

He further stated that the Congress’s repeated electoral failures have resulted in a growing frustration within its leadership. In particular, he targeted Rahul Gandhi, remarking:

“After losing three elections, I think the level of frustration is such that the normal sense of judgment, he (Rahul Gandhi) has lost it.”

This pointed criticism highlights the BJP’s narrative that the Congress party is disconnected from the masses and relies excessively on optics rather than substance.

The BJP’s Grassroots Model

The BJP’s model of political communication has long emphasized face-to-face interactions, grassroots mobilization, and direct engagement through rallies, yatras, and door-to-door campaigns. Shah underlined that unlike Congress’s “virtual outreach”, the BJP has built genuine connections with people at the ground level, ensuring that the party’s vision and policies resonate across diverse social and regional demographics.

This strategy has been a key factor behind the BJP’s repeated electoral successes, contrasting sharply with Congress’s declining voter base in multiple states.

Amit Shah on CISF Deployment in Parliament

In addition to his remarks on Rahul Gandhi, Amit Shah also addressed concerns regarding the deployment of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in Parliament. Some opposition leaders had claimed that this move was an attempt to curb dissent and stifle protests inside the House.

Shah categorically denied these allegations, clarifying that:

“Inside Parliament, any force present there is under the authority of the Speaker. The identity of the force itself does not matter. Earlier, it used to be personnel from the Delhi Police; now it is CISF.”

He explained that when security personnel operate inside the Parliament premises, they are not identified as police or CISF but as Marshals, functioning solely under the Speaker’s orders. This clarification was intended to reassure that the deployment has no bearing on democratic debate or lawful protest within the House.

Political Context and Implications

Amit Shah’s comments come at a time when the political rivalry between BJP and Congress continues to intensify. With multiple state elections scheduled ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha polls, both parties are sharpening their outreach strategies.

For the BJP, highlighting Rahul Gandhi’s supposed lack of judgment and reliance on social media narratives serves to project the Congress as an ineffective opposition. At the same time, Congress argues that Rahul Gandhi’s digital outreach is a necessary step to connect with younger voters and challenge the BJP’s dominance in mainstream media narratives.

Shah’s remarks also reinforce the BJP’s longstanding strategy of framing elections as a contest between Modi-led governance and Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, drawing a contrast between BJP’s grassroots presence and Congress’s digital presence.

Conclusion

The political exchange between Amit Shah and Rahul Gandhi reflects the deepening polarization in Indian politics. While Rahul Gandhi seeks to leverage social media to expand his influence and highlight alleged shortcomings of the Modi government, Amit Shah insists that real political connect cannot be built on digital illusions alone.

With both parties gearing up for crucial electoral battles, the debate between virtual outreach versus direct grassroots connect is likely to remain a recurring theme in India’s political landscape. Shah’s remarks not only aim to discredit Rahul Gandhi’s strategy but also serve as a rallying call for BJP workers to strengthen their face-to-face interactions with the public, which the party believes remains its greatest strength.

The Upcoming IPOs in this week and coming weeks are Abril Paper Tech, Sneha Organics, Sugs Lloyd, Anlon Healthcare, NIS Management, Sattva Engineering Construction, Globtier Infotech, Current Infraprojects, Vikran Engineering.

The Current active IPO are Shivashrit Foods, Anondita Medicare, Classic Electrodes (India), ARC Insulation & Insulators, Mangal Electrical Industries, .

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.

Join our Trading with CA Abhay Telegram Channel for regular Stock Market Trading and Investment Calls by CA Abhay Varn - SEBI Registered Research Analyst.