Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recently sharpened his criticism of the Gandhi family, taking aim at their use of the Gandhi surname and questioning their contributions to the nation. During a parliamentary address, Modi alluded that the Gandhis had appropriated the revered name of Mahatma Gandhi, implying a lack of original identity and suggesting an attempt to capitalize on the Mahatma's legacy.
Modi's remarks didn't stop at the surname. He also took a jibe at Rahul Gandhi, referring to his political career as a "failed start-up". This comment plays on the contemporary startup culture, suggesting that Rahul Gandhi's repeated attempts to establish himself as a prominent political figure have not yielded success. This barb is particularly pointed, considering the emphasis the current government has placed on fostering a thriving startup ecosystem in the country.
The Prime Minister's criticism also extended to the legacy of Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister and Rahul Gandhi's great-grandfather. Modi questioned why members of the Gandhi family appeared "ashamed" to use the Nehru surname. He further criticized the Congress party, stating governments led by Nehru and Indira Gandhi used Article 356 of the Constitution to topple state governments of regional outfits. Modi alleged that Indira Gandhi alone used Article 356 to topple governments of regional parties in states as many as 50 times. He questioned parties such as the DMK, TDP and Left and the NCP of Sharad Pawar for aligning with the Congress which had in the past toppled their governments.
These remarks are the latest in a series of exchanges between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress, the party historically associated with the Gandhi family. The relationship between Modi and Rahul Gandhi has been particularly fraught, marked by frequent sparring and criticism. Rahul Gandhi has previously accused Modi of crony capitalism and questioned the Prime Minister's association with certain business figures.
The Congress party has defended the Gandhi family's legacy and accused the Modi government of political vendetta. They argue that the government is attempting to erase the contributions of the Nehru-Gandhi family from India's history. Some Congress members have pointed out that Indira Gandhi played a crucial role in the liberation of Bangladesh and made other significant contributions.
The political implications of these exchanges are significant. With upcoming elections, both parties are keen to frame the narrative to their advantage. The BJP aims to undermine the Congress party's historical dominance by questioning the Gandhi family's legacy, while Congress attempts to revive its political fortunes by attacking the Modi government's policies and performance.