As West Bengal prepares for upcoming elections, the opposition has launched a strong offensive against the government, asserting that the recent debate on Vande Mataram is a calculated diversionary tactic. Opposition leaders claim that the government is using the debate to distract from critical issues such as unemployment and rising prices, with an eye on influencing voters in the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, a leading voice in the opposition, questioned the timing and necessity of the debate, accusing the government of exploiting the national song to level allegations against those who fought for India's freedom. She dared the ruling party to engage in a comprehensive discussion about Nehru and "close the chapter once and for all," before addressing contemporary problems. Vadra argued that the debate is a thinly veiled attempt to sway public opinion in West Bengal, where elections are approaching.

The opposition contends that the government is deliberately focusing on historical issues to avoid scrutiny of its performance on key economic and social indicators. They claim that instead of addressing the concerns of the youth, such as widespread unemployment and the integrity of reservation policies, the government is attempting to manipulate public sentiment through emotionally charged debates.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accused the Congress party of fragmenting the spirit of Vande Mataram through its "surrender before the Muslim League". He insisted that Vande Mataram was the voice of the freedom movement, a claim that sparked further controversy and deepened the divide between the ruling party and the opposition. Countering this, Gandhi defended Nehru and the Congress party, asserting that Vande Mataram has always been an integral part of the party's ethos. She highlighted that the song is sung in all Congress sessions since 1905.

Gandhi further argued that questioning the form of Vande Mataram, which was accepted by the Constituent Assembly, is an affront to the great leaders who made that decision with their wisdom. She accused the BJP of attacking the Constituent Assembly and the Constitution by implying that Vande Mataram was fragmented.

Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav echoed these sentiments, stating that those who did not participate in the freedom struggle are now lecturing on the values of Vande Mataram. He cautioned against using the national song as a tool to impose beliefs on others and emphasized that it should be followed in spirit, as it united people during the independence movement.

The opposition has collectively accused the government of attempting to rewrite history and give a political slant to the Vande Mataram debate. They argue that the government's true motive is to remain entrenched in the past to avoid addressing present-day challenges. The opposition insists on shifting the focus to issues that directly impact the lives of ordinary citizens, such as price rises and unemployment.