In a remark that has triggered widespread confusion and political reactions, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday alleged that former Union Minister Arun Jaitley threatened him in 2020 over his opposition to the now-repealed farm laws. The claim has raised eyebrows across the political spectrum, as Jaitley passed away in August 2019, a year before the farm laws were even introduced.

Rahul Gandhi made the statement while speaking at the Annual Legal Conclave 2025 held in New Delhi. During his address, the Congress MP recounted an alleged encounter where Arun Jaitley, a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and former Finance and Defence Minister, was sent by the government to warn him against protesting the controversial farm laws.

Quoting the purported interaction, Rahul Gandhi said,

“I remember when I was fighting the farm laws, Arun Jaitley ji was sent to me to threaten me. He told me, ‘If you carry on opposing the government, fighting the farm laws, we will have to act against you.’ I looked at him and said, ‘I don’t think you have any idea who you’re talking to.’”

The statement is especially bizarre given that Arun Jaitley had died on August 24, 2019, at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) after a prolonged illness. At the time of his death, the three contentious farm laws had not yet been brought into existence.

Background on Farm Laws

The three farm laws —

• The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020,

• The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and

• The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 —
  were promulgated as ordinances in June 2020 by the Narendra Modi-led NDA government and passed in Parliament in September 2020.

The laws were aimed at liberalising agricultural trade and allowing farmers to sell their produce outside the APMC mandis. However, they triggered massive protests, primarily by farmers from Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh, who feared the laws would dismantle the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system and leave them at the mercy of corporate interests.

After more than a year of protests, which included sit-ins at the Delhi borders, the central government repealed the laws in November 2021.

Jaitley's Political Legacy

Arun Jaitley was one of the most influential figures in the Modi 1.0 government. He served as:

• Finance Minister from 2014 to 2019,

• Defence Minister twice (briefly in 2014 and again from 2017 to 2017),

• Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha from 2009 to 2014, and

• Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha from 2014 to 2019.

During his tenure, Jaitley was instrumental in major economic reforms such as:

• The introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST),

• Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, and

• Banking Sector Reforms.

He was also a part of the Vajpayee cabinet, having handled portfolios like Commerce & Industry and Law & Justice.

Jaitley, a trained lawyer, was widely regarded for his oratory skills, sharp intellect, and deep understanding of legal and economic matters. His death in 2019 was seen as a major loss for the BJP and the broader political establishment.

Political Reactions and Backlash

Rahul Gandhi’s claim has already sparked a political storm, with BJP leaders dismissing the statement as baseless and disrespectful. Many have pointed out the chronological impossibility of his allegation, suggesting it may be part of a larger strategy to target the BJP leadership ahead of upcoming state and national elections.

While the Congress party has not issued an official clarification, social media platforms were abuzz with criticism and mockery. Several users and political observers questioned whether Rahul Gandhi had made an error, or if he was referring to someone else and misspoke the name.

Some Congress sympathisers suggested that Gandhi might have meant a senior BJP leader who was still alive but inadvertently mentioned Jaitley, possibly confusing the timeline during his speech.

On the other hand, critics have alleged that such remarks undermine the credibility of serious political discourse, especially when made at a formal legal event where factual accuracy is critical.

Recurring Pattern of Controversial Remarks

This is not the first time Rahul Gandhi has made headlines for statements that have drawn ridicule or backlash. Recently, he reiterated his "atom bomb" remark, despite a public rebuttal from the Election Commission. He also made statements implying voter roll manipulation in Bihar, attracting the ire of the ruling party and election authorities.

His recent confrontational tone is seen by political analysts as an attempt to consolidate his leadership within the Congress party and position himself as the primary challenger to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2029 General Elections.

Conclusion

Rahul Gandhi’s controversial statement alleging a threat from a deceased BJP leader has led to significant political controversy, with serious questions being raised about accuracy, intent, and judgment. Whether this was a verbal misstep, a misremembered event, or a deliberate rhetorical tactic, it has certainly reignited debates around political narratives, accountability, and credibility.

As the BJP seeks to contain the fallout and the Congress decides on damage control, the spotlight remains firmly on Gandhi — and on the accuracy of his claims, as well as the political strategy behind such statements.

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