Rahul Gandhi is trying to spread anarchy in the country: Babulal Marandi
Leader of the Opposition in the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly and BJP leader Babulal Marandi, right, at a press conference. File | Photo credit: PTI
Leader of Opposition in Jharkhand Assembly Babulal Marandi on Monday (September 28, 2026) attacked Rahul Gandhi over Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar’s question following an Indian Express “reveal”.
Mr. Marandi accused Rahul Gandhi and the Congress of creating an atmosphere of anarchy in the country and unfairly maligning the Narendra Modi government.
Addressing a press conference in Jharkhand’s Giridih, Mr. Marandi said that the allegation leveled by Mr. Gandhi was not an isolated incident and the Congress and opposition parties had also made such malicious attempts several times in the past.
“Ever since the Congress lost power in 2014, they have been making various allegations, with only specific issues changing over time. They have raised questions about the central government and the electoral process for various reasons, yet the public has never given credence to their baseless and fact-free claims,” Marandi said.
He further said that the Congress party had previously stoked controversies by calling EVMs “black boxes”, chanting “Chowkidar Chor Hai” (watchman is a thief) and highlighting issues like the Rafale deal and phone tapping; they are now accusing “vote theft”.
“This is only an attempt to mislead the public. People have woken up and understood Rahul Gandhi very well. In fact, the nation never takes the words of Rahul Gandhi and Congress seriously,” he said. Marandi said.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader added that the Congress leadership should take an interest in Mr Gandhi’s conduct and activities, whether in Parliament or outside it, in the country or outside it.
“Mr. Gandhi should seek medical treatment in hospitals available all over the world, otherwise he would sink the entire INDI alliance, including the Congress itself, by 2029,” Marandi said.
Mr. Marandi noted that the opposition had created a massive uproar by seizing on a recent newspaper report and acting as if they had stumbled upon a big scam.
He pointed out that the official joint statement issued by the CEC and the two election commissioners showed that “all decisions were taken unanimously”.
“Rahul Gandhi, Congress and the entire INDI alliance have been completely humiliated after the Election Commission’s statement. Mr. Gandhi never stands for India’s strength or development. There are perhaps no other opposition parties or leaders in the world who constantly tarnish the image of their own country,” Marandi said.
He further argued that Congressional statements often appear to align with the interests of China and other countries.
Senior leader and former Jharkhand Congress president Rajesh Thakur hit out at Mr. Marandi over his statement, calling him a person of double standards.
“Babulal Marandi’s existence in Jharkhand politics is over due to which he is frustrated. When he was in alliance with Congress party, he knelt before Rahul Gandhi ji and now he speaks such language. He has always remained a double standard leader. Just to keep his bosses happy and stay alive in politics, he makes such statements,” Hindu Thakur told The Hindu Thakur.
The Congress and the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik), formed by former Chief Minister Mr Marandi, contested the 2009 State Assembly elections in an alliance. However, in February 2020, his JVM (P) merged with the BJP.
Published – 29 Sep 2026 09:49 IST