‘Forces in India and abroad using Rahul Gandhi as pawn to tarnish nation’s image’: Kiren Rijiju

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has hit out at Congress leader and Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi over his recent allegations of vote rigging in the Haryana elections, accusing him of deliberately undermining India’s democratic institutions and damaging the country’s global image.

Speaking to reporters, Rijiju said Rahul Gandhi’s comments go beyond political criticism of the BJP and directly attack the credibility of key national institutions, including the Election Commission, the judiciary, and the armed forces.

“Rahul Gandhi is targeting not just the BJP, but our country’s system and the credibility of its institutions. You’ll see him target the Army. Then, if the court’s decision isn’t fair, he’ll attack the Supreme Court and the judiciary. Questioning the Election Commission, our democratic system, and the credibility of the institutions means you’re targeting the country itself,” Rijiju said.

Also Read: Rahul Gandhi claims 25 lakh fake voters in Haryana, says ‘Brazilian Model’ among duplicates

The minister called Gandhi’s statements part of a “well-planned conspiracy” aimed at weakening public faith in India’s democratic framework. “I’ve told you before that there are many forces — there are many such people in India and abroad. They’re using Rahul Gandhi as a pawn to harm India’s image,” Rijiju alleged.

He further added that such attempts to discredit India’s democratic and institutional systems serve the interests of those who seek to malign the nation internationally. Rijiju urged the opposition to engage in constructive politics instead of spreading what he called “dangerous narratives” that erode public trust in national institutions.