Rahul Gandhi gets candid on how he views PM Modi: 'You'll be surprised...'

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi

Congress MP and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, currently visiting the US, opened up on his thoughts about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking at the Georgetown University in Washington, DC, on September 9, Gandhi said he doesn’t hate the Prime Minister but only disagrees with his point of view.

"You will be surprised, but I don't actually hate Mr Modi... he has got a point of view, fine, I don't agree with his point of view but I don't hate him,” the Congress leader said.

“In many moments, I empathise with him. I don't think like he is my enemy. He has a different point of view and I have a different point of view. I have empathy and compassion for what he is doing," Gandhi added further.

I don't hate Mr. Modi.He has a point of view; I don't agree with the point of view, but I don't hate him.He has a different perspective, and I have a different perspective.: Shri @RahulGandhi at the Georgetown UniversityWashington DC pic.twitter.com/y3p5OW4CTE
Congress (@INCIndia) September 10, 2024

Gandhi arrived in the United States on September 8 for a three-day visit aimed at fostering “meaningful discussions and insightful conversations” to strengthen ties between India and the US. The trip is part of ongoing efforts to enhance the bond between the two nations.

During his visit, he launched a series of attacks on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking at an Indian diaspora event in Herndon, Virginia on Monday, he claimed that the fear of PM Modi among the people has now dissipated in the aftermath of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.

At the event, Gandhi alleged that the BJP and PM Modi had created a climate of fear through the use of government agencies to pressure small businesses. He said that this fear, however, "vanished within seconds" after the election results were declared.

"Something has changed after the elections. Some people say 'Darr nahi lagta ab, darr nikal gaya ab'...It is interesting to me that the BJP and PM Modi spread so much fear, and the pressure of agencies on small businesses, everything vanished within seconds. It took years for them to spread this fear and vanished within seconds," the LoP remarked.

Gandhi also dismissed PM Modi's once-prominent strongman image, saying, "...In Parliament, I see the Prime Minister right up front and I can tell you that the idea of Mr. Modi, 56-inch chest, direct connection with god, that’s all gone now, it’s is all history now". He asserted that the image of dominance and strength previously associated with Modi no longer holds the same sway.

The Congress leader also took aim at the BJP’s vision for India, accusing the party of failing to acknowledge the country's inherent diversity. During his interaction with students at Georgetown University, he said that the BJP fails to understand India's rich diversity. Gandhi accused the ruling party of disregarding the cultural and historical diversity that defines the nation.

"BJP doesn't understand that this country is of everyone...India is a union. In the Constitution, it is written clearly... India that is Bharat is a union state, histories, tradition music and dance...they (BJP) say it is not a union, it is different...," he noted.

Gandhi also took a dig at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), accusing the organisation of promoting divisive ideologies that undermine India's diversity. The Amethi MP alleged that the RSS views certain states, languages, religions, and communities as inferior.

"What the RSS says is that certain states are inferior to other states. Certain languages are inferior to other languages, certain religions are inferior to other religions, and certain communities are inferior to other communities....," Gandhi said.

He further said that every state in India has its rich history and traditions, which the RSS ideology fails to respect.

"All the state has its history, tradition...RSS ideology is Tamil, Marathi, Bengali, Manipuri, these are inferior languages...that's what the fight is about...These people (RSS) don't understand India.." he said. He concluded by stating that this ideological battle represents a lack of understanding of India's diverse identity on the part of the RSS.

Furthermore, sharing about the period just before the Lok Sabha elections 2024, Gandhi said that the Congress' accounts were frozen three months before the elections. "Three months before the elections, all our bank accounts were sealed. We were discussing what to do next. I simply said, 'Dekhi Jayegi' (Let's see what happens), and we went ahead into the elections...", alleged the Congress MP.