‘The best finisher in Indian politics’: Rajnath Singh’s jibe at Rahul Gandhi

Rajnath Singh says this is why several leaders left Congress

Bhopal:

Union Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday took a dig at Rahul Gandhi, saying the Congress leader is like the Mahendra Singh Dhoni of cricket. Singh Dhoni, is the “best finisher” in Indian politics.

The senior BJP leader, while addressing an election rally in Madhya Pradesh’s Siddi district, also claimed that the Congress has an “unbreakable” nexus with corruption.

He said the Congress party once dominated Indian politics but now has governments in only two or three small states.

“I sometimes wonder why this happens and then I come to this conclusion. Who is the best finisher in cricket? (After people replied) MS Dhoni. If anyone asks me who is the best finisher in Indian politics leader, I would say Rahul Gandhi… That is why several leaders left the Congress,” the senior BJP leader said.

At an earlier rally, Mr. Singh mocked Mr. Gandhi, saying he had vowed not to stop until the great old party was “completed.”

Congress and corruption are inextricably linked, Singh said, adding that most Congress governments have faced corruption charges but no such charges have been leveled against any minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.

The minister said the Congress party’s relationship with corruption can be described by the song “Tu Chal Mein Aai” (I will follow you) from the Salman Khan-starrer “Maine Pyar Kiya”.

Singh also advocated “one country, one choice”, claiming it would save time and resources.

Contrary to what the Congress says, simultaneous elections will strengthen India’s democracy, he said, adding that two elections should be held within five years, one for local bodies and followed by Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.

The defense minister said that some large financial companies predict that India will be among the top three economies in the world by early 2027, while the Modi government has already moved India into the top five from 11th place a decade ago.

Singh added that India will become a superpower by 2045.

He said that the Congress Party made many promises when it was in power. If these promises were partially fulfilled, India would have become a powerful country long ago.

The BJP, on the other hand, has fulfilled all its promises within a decade, Singh said.

“Look at all our manifestos, (one will find) we do what we say. We have been saying since 1984 that we will build a Rama temple (in Ayodhya). … .The opposition asked for a date. Now the consecration (of the idols) has happened,” he said, while also citing the abrogation of Article 370 and the ban on triple talaq as examples of the party delivering on its promises.

“We stand with all sisters and mothers irrespective of their religion. If the dignity and existence of sisters and mothers is threatened, the BJP will stand with them whether our government remains in office or not,” he said.

Singh said that politics should not be about appeasement and the political purpose of the BJP is to build the country.

The defense minister asserted that India wants to have good relations with Pakistan while referring to the terror activities during the UPA rule.

“We want to maintain good relations with our neighbors because (former Prime Minister) Atal Bihari Vajpayee once said that one can change friends but not neighbours. We follow this (motto). But If anyone tries to promote terrorism in this country, our country, we will give a befitting reply,” he said.

If provoked, India is no longer a weak country and can even take action across the border if necessary, Singh said, adding that India had proven this over the past decade.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)