BJP said it will organise nationwide protests against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after he participates in the Opposition’s demonstration in the national capital.
The decision comes a day after the Opposition’s protest also led to a political clash over the Opposition’s protest and has triggered a fight between the ruling BJP and Congress.
The BJP is planning to take action to oppose Rahul Gandhi’s conduct during the demonstration, to oppose the BJP’s claims that Rahul Gandhi should be taken to task for his actions and disrupt democratic norms, the leader told reporters.
The announcement follows a series of BJP leaders (even party MPs) who criticized Rahul Gandhi’s role in the protest, saying he tried to escalate the situation. The ruling party has said peaceful protests are a democratic right, but demonstrations must go through the legal and security protocols.
The Congress has countered that the protest was a legitimate democratic exercise, but it was not done to suppress dissent but to bring to light issues affecting students and hold the Union government to account at the time for their education. The Centre has also been accused of silencing dissent and maintaining that their protests were peaceful.
The development adds to the political fight between BJP and Congress which is roiling the country’s political environment and has dominated proceedings in the present parliament session. The two are currently on a warpath with each other over student issues, the functioning of the education system and recent demonstrations.
The BJP’s nationwide demonstrations are expected to be made up of party workers and leaders from different states, and local units will organise rallies and protests to oppose Rahul Gandhi’s actions. It will be decided on the date and location of the protests by state BJP units.
Political historians say that the matter has become a flashpoint between the ruling party and the opposition, and both sides have been using demonstrations and parliamentary action to cement their positions.
And the protests are likely to aggravate the already charged political climate before the Parliament debates on education, governance and accountability.
Politics is so volatile at present that the BJP and Congress will continue to campaign on the issue in Parliament as well as out of Parliament and in public opinion.
