Lucknow: In a recent statement, Rajnath Singh, Union Defence Minister and Bharati Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Lucknow, reiterated claims made by Mahatma Gandhi about abolishing Congress shortly after India gained Independence in 1947.
Singh's remarks reignited discussions around Gandhi's purported desire to dissolve Congress, a topic that has sparked debates in 2017, 2019, and 2023. According to Singh, Gandhi advocated for the abolition of Congress post-Independence, but his advice went unheeded by the party. Singh added that now, the people themselves are contributing to the effort to abolish Congress.
During a roadshow preceding the nomination filing of BJP candidate Manoj Tiwari from North East Delhi for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, Singh expressed confidence in BJP's prospects in Delhi, stating, "I believe that BJP will secure a significant victory on all seats of Delhi. The results of the two phases of elections indicate that our '400 paar' slogan is turning into reality."
Singh's statements are in line with a broader political narrative against Congress, with several non-Congress politicians such as Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Venkaiah Naidu, and Jayalalithaa recalling Gandhi's belief that Congress should have disbanded after Independence.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in 2019, had remarked, "Mahatma Gandhi had long ago realised that Congress has the maximum receiving capacity for all ailments. Hence, he called for disintegrating the Congress. 'Congress Mukt Bharat' is not my slogan, but I am just fulfilling the wish of Mahatma Gandhi."
Gandhi's perspective on Congress was elaborated in his 1909 book 'Hind Swaraj,' where he acknowledged the role of Congress in uniting Indians and nurturing the idea of nationality. He cautioned against treating Congress as an enemy of national growth, emphasizing its contribution to India's journey towards self-rule.
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