Opposition to Oppose, Expose, Depose: Congress Reminder to Pranab Rajnath Singh

Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh addresses a press conference at the BJP headquarters in Lucknow on October 16, 2026. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak and party president Pankaj Chaudhary are also present. | Photo credit: ANI

The Congress on Friday (Oct 16, 2026) hit out at Union Minister Rajnath Singh for saying the party was seeking regime change along the lines of Bangladesh, saying he needed to be reminded of what former President Pranab Mukherjee had said that the role of the opposition in a democracy is to oppose, expose and oust.

Mr Singh lashed out at the Congress and its allies over the protests in the national capital, accusing them of seeking regime change along the lines of Bangladesh and using youth energy to spread “anarchy”.

Addressing a press conference in Lucknow, Mr. Singh said that democracy does not give anyone license to create disorder or undermine the credibility of constitutional institutions.

Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh hit back at Mr Singh, saying: “The defense minister needs to be reminded of what former president Pranab Mukherjee, who received the Bharat Ratna in 2019, has often said: the job of the opposition in a democracy is to oppose, expose and oust.”

In his remarks, the defense minister said that it appears that the Congress and its political allies, directly and through their support organisations, are trying to harness the energy of the youth to promote political confrontation and spread anarchy instead of channeling it towards constructive work and nation building.

“The youth of the country are becoming pawns in the politics of anarchy,” he declared.

Mr Singh claimed that the Congress and its allies wanted a change of government in India on the lines of Bangladesh.

Published – 16 Oct 2026 15:09 IST