Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi delivered a powerful speech during the Budget Session of Parliament on February 3, 2025, addressing what he termed as failures of both the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) governments, particularly focusing on unemployment and foreign policy issues.
Gandhi's remarks came as he responded to President Droupadi Murmu’s address, which he described as bland and repetitive, calling it the same "laundry list" of accomplishments he had heard before. "The future of this country will be decided by the young men and women of this country. Anything we say has to be addressed to them," he asserted.
He highlighted the alarming decrease in India's manufacturing sector since the inception of the 'Make in India' initiative, stating, "The Prime Minister proposed the 'Make in India' program; I think it was a good idea. The result is right in front of you—manufacturing fell from 15.3% of GDP in 2014 to 12.6% today, which is the lowest share of manufacturing in 60 years. I am not blaming the Prime Minister; it would not be fair to say he did not try. I could say the Prime Minister tried but he failed," he emphasized, summarizing the stark reality of the initiative's outcomes.
One of the more contentious points raised during his speech centered around the alleged Chinese intrusion. Referring to statements made by the Indian Army Chief, Gandhi claimed, "Our Chief of Army Staff has said the Chinese are inside our territory. This is a fact. The reason China is inside our territory is important... the reason China is sitting inside this country is because 'Make in India' has failed. If and when we fight a war with China, we will be fighting with Chinese electric motors, Chinese batteries and Chinese optics." This claim caused uproar among the ruling party members, who demanded substantiation for his statements.
Gandhi also directed attention to electoral integrity, questioning the sudden addition of nearly 70 lakh voters to Maharashtra's electoral rolls between two major elections. He alleged, "Interestingly, the new voters are mostly in the constituencies the BJP has swept... I am saying on the Floor of the House the Election Commission has to give this data. I am very confident they will not deliver it."
Gandhi didn't stop there; he questioned why the Chief Justice of India was removed from the Election Commission's selection committee, framing it as part of what he called the government's "calculated strategy."
His remarks prompted reactions from several ministers, including Kiren Rijiju, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, who challenged Gandhi's assertions. Rijiju said, "The Leader of Opposition cannot make such serious unsubstantiated statements. This is related to the relationship between two countries and he is making unverified claims about the invitation of the Prime Minister of our country."
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar joined the fray, refuting allegations about the government's foreign policies. He criticized Gandhi's statement about the foreign minister being sent to the U.S. to secure an invitation for PM Modi, stating it was misleading and not representative of India’s diplomatic practices. "Rahul Gandhi's lies may be intended politically, but they damage the nation abroad," Jaishankar stated.
Despite the backlash from the NDA, Gandhi's speech received commendations from fellow Congress leaders. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra characterized his presentation as exemplary, asserting it provided a clear vision for India’s future and urged greater participation of marginalized groups such as Dalits and OBCs. Shashi Tharoor, another Congress MP, hailed Gandhi's approach as distinct, emphasizing the need for alternative national visions beyond the existing government lists.
Gandhi concluded by stressing the importance of clarity and truthfulness, stating, "When you are giving guidance to the nation, there must be clarity of purpose. There is no hatred, violence or anger because these things are destroying our country."
While his delivery was widely praised, questions linger about the broader responsibility of the Congress party. Critics pointed out the irony of Gandhi awakening to issues many believe his own party overlooked during its years of governance. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman publicly derided his approach, challenging him to support his assertions with hard evidence from the past.
Gandhi's performance may have brought attention to the failures he outlined, but it also posed reflection on the party's past shortcomings, underscoring the complexity of India's political dialogue.
With his speech, Rahul Gandhi not only ignited fierce discussions within Parliament but also established a platform for the opposition to challenge the government’s narrative, highlighting urgent matters of employment, national security, and electoral integrity as pivotal parts of India's current political discourse.