Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jan 26: Senior Congress leader Rashid Alvi on Monday strongly defended Rahul Gandhi, describing the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha as “indispensable” to both the Congress party and the country, and asserting that no other leader challenges Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the same intensity.
Alvi’s remarks came in response to sharp criticism from former Union Minister Shakeel Ahmad, who quit the Congress in November 2025 and recently labelled Rahul Gandhi as “darpok” (coward) and insecure.
Speaking to reporters, Alvi said Rahul Gandhi remains the Congress’s most prominent mass leader and a central pillar of the party’s identity. “Rahul Gandhi is the need of the country. Without him, the Congress cannot truly remain the Congress. People may have different views about him, but the way he confronts Prime Minister Modi is unmatched. There is no other leader in the country who does this consistently,” he said.
Alvi also accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of repeatedly targeting the Congress and pushing a communal narrative to corner it politically. He claimed that the BJP routinely brands the party as engaging in appeasement whenever issues related to Muslims are raised.
“The BJP always blames the Congress. The moment a Muslim issue is mentioned, accusations of appeasement begin. This creates fear not just within the Congress, but among all secular parties,” Alvi said.
He added that while secular parties are not opposed to Muslims, many refrain from speaking out openly due to concerns of being attacked politically. “They do not want to give the BJP an excuse to level appeasement charges. But the ones who ultimately pay the price are Muslims. They are targeted, and others choose silence,” he said.
On the issue of Vande Mataram, Alvi maintained that there should be no compulsion. “There is nothing wrong if people sing Vande Mataram willingly. If the government or the Prime Minister wants to mark its 150th anniversary by singing it, that is their right. Anyone in India is free to sing it — but it should never be forced on anyone,” he added.