In a sharp political offensive, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a scathing attack on the Gandhi-Vadra family, accusing them of harboring "hate for Dalits". This accusation stems from an incident where Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge was allegedly sidelined during Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's nomination filing in Wayanad. The BJP has amplified its claims by circulating a clip featuring Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, further intensifying the political firestorm.
The BJP's IT cell head, Amit Malviya, shared a video clip purportedly showing Kharge looking through the door of a room where Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was filing her nomination papers for Wayanad. The BJP's official X handle also shared the same video, alleging disrespect towards Kharge, a veteran parliamentarian and Dalit leader. "The way Mallikarjun Kharge ji was kept out of the room during Priyanka Vadra's nomination... If the Gandhi family can insult Kharge ji like this, then one can imagine how much hatred they must have for the Dalit community," the BJP India handle wrote.
The controversy erupted when videos surfaced showing Kharge, seemingly waiting outside the venue while members of the Gandhi family were inside. This visual has been interpreted by the BJP as a deliberate snub and a reflection of the Congress party's alleged disregard for Dalit leaders. The BJP has questioned whether Kharge is merely a figurehead within the Congress, with the real power remaining firmly within the Gandhi family.
Several BJP leaders have weighed in on the issue. Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his dismay at the "disrespect shown towards a veteran Parliamentarian and Dalit leader like Shri Khargeji". Rajeev Chandrasekhar questioned Kharge's absence during the nomination filing, implying that Kharge was kept out because he is not part of the Gandhi family.
The Congress party has responded by accusing the BJP of politicizing the issue and distorting facts. Congress leaders argue that the BJP is attempting to create divisions within the party and undermine Kharge's position as party president. They maintain that Kharge is a respected leader within the party and that there was no intentional disrespect shown towards him.
This is not the first time that accusations of disrespect towards Kharge have surfaced. In the past, there have been instances where Kharge was seemingly sidelined or overlooked, leading to similar allegations of discrimination. These incidents have fueled the BJP's narrative of the Congress party's alleged anti-Dalit bias.
The BJP's attack comes at a time of heightened political activity, with upcoming elections on the horizon. The party is likely using this issue to consolidate its support among Dalit voters and to portray the Congress as a party that is out of touch with the concerns of marginalized communities.
The controversy surrounding Kharge's treatment has also sparked a broader debate about caste and representation in Indian politics. Critics argue that the incident highlights the continued prevalence of caste-based discrimination, even within political parties that claim to champion social justice. The incident also brought back memories of how Sonia Gandhi was allegedly uncomfortable with the rising prominence of Narisimha Rao.
As the political rhetoric intensifies, it remains to be seen how this controversy will impact the electoral landscape. The Congress party will need to address the allegations head-on and reassure Dalit voters of its commitment to social equality and justice. The BJP, on the other hand, is likely to continue using this issue to attack the Congress and consolidate its own political position.
