BJP counters Delhi rally: Amit Shah and Sambit Patra target opposition

Following the rally held by the INDIA bloc at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, the Bharatiya Janata Party has started counter-attacks on Rahul Gandhi and the Congress. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra targeted the turnout at the rally and the claims made by the opposition.

Addressing a gathering in Chandigarh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah took a dig at Rahul Gandhi's leadership and political ambitions. Shah said that Rahul Gandhi wants to become the prime minister and for this, he has found a new way of a 'mock parliament'. He said that Rahul Gandhi can remain a prime minister in his mock parliament, but his dream of becoming the country's prime minister will not be fulfilled.

Amit Shah also attacked Rahul Gandhi's 'mohabbat ki dukan' slogan. He alleged that the Congress leader is spreading hatred instead of love and only hatred will be seen in this shop of his.

On the other hand, addressing a press conference in New Delhi, BJP MP and spokesperson Sambit Patra termed the rally a 'super flop'. He claimed that Congress leaders had claimed a gathering of 10 lakh people, but about 40 percent of the Ramlila Maidan remained empty. He said that the opposition could not even fill the ground having a capacity of 50 thousand.

Citing pictures of the ground, Patra said that between 3:30 pm and 4:00 pm, 5,000 to 7,000 out of the 28,000 chairs placed there were empty. He also accused the opposition of showing a large gathering through camera angles. He said that the country's prime minister is made through sweat and hard work, not through political gimmicks.

On the other hand, the Congress party rejected the BJP's claims and called the rally a complete success. Senior advocate and Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that the BJP is rattled seeing the massive number of people. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor also said that the people have raised their voice and the Chief Election Commissioner should resign.

Notably, earlier in the day, the INDIA bloc held a rally at Ramlila Maidan against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and alleged rigging of voter lists, where opposition leaders raised serious questions on the election process.

Key developments

• Amit Shah spoke in Chandigarh and targeted Rahul Gandhi's 'mock parliament'.
• BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra called the rally a failure, stating the Ramlila Maidan was 40 percent empty.
• According to Patra, 5,000 to 7,000 out of 28,000 chairs were empty.
• Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi called the rally successful and accused the BJP of panic.