Daijiworld Media Network - Gorakhpur
Gorakhpur, Nov 4: BJP national president Nitin Nabin on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav, accusing them of making excuses for electoral defeats and saying young voters had rejected what he described as political “princes”.
Addressing an NDA rally in Gorakhpur as part of the BJP's 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' campaign, Nabin referred to Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav as the two “princes” of Uttar Pradesh, alleging that people in the state and across the country remembered their record of misdeeds.
Describing Gandhi as a “part-time politician”, Nabin said the Congress leader became active during election campaigns, unlike BJP workers who, he claimed, remained engaged in public service throughout the year.
Referring to the opposition's November 1 rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, Nabin claimed that it failed to attract even 10 per cent of the crowd projected by its organisers. He said the BJP and its NDA allies were holding large marches across districts and towns, which he described as a reflection of the alliance's strength and public support.
Taking aim at Gandhi, Nabin alleged that the Congress leader continued to spread misinformation despite the changes brought about in the country under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He claimed that 140 crore Indians regarded Modi as their prime minister and a “chowkidar” protecting their homes, families and the country.
On opposition allegations surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Nabin said parties that had suffered electoral defeats were blaming the exercise instead of examining their organisational weaknesses. He questioned why they had lost elections even before 2025, when the current SIR exercise had not been conducted.
Nabin also referred to the Election Commission's reported challenge to Gandhi to demonstrate alleged EVM manipulation at a venue of his choice. He claimed that Gandhi had failed to accept the challenge and had withdrawn from the issue.
Referring to the Bihar elections, Nabin alleged that Gandhi had left the political field after the publication of the electoral rolls. He also targeted RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, describing him as the “prince of Bihar” and saying young voters were rejecting such leaders.
“Yuva aise Yuvraajon ko nakaar raha hai,” he said.
Questioning the opposition's claim that around 13 crore names had been deleted from electoral rolls, Nabin cited figures which he said explained the deletions. He claimed that around 2.5 crore entries related to deceased voters, while nearly six crore concerned people who had shifted from their registered addresses. He also referred to more than three crore people whose addresses, he alleged, could not be verified despite attempts to contact them.
Nabin further alleged that around three crore infiltrators figured in the voter list and accused opposition parties of attempting to protect them for electoral gains. He said BJP and NDA workers would oppose the inclusion of such people in electoral rolls.
Invoking Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's analogy of a student repeatedly making excuses for failing examinations, Nabin accused opposition parties of refusing to accept responsibility for their electoral performance. He said they were questioning the Election Commission and alleging EVM manipulation instead of accepting the voters' verdict.
Nabin also criticised the Congress over its record on poverty alleviation, alleging that the party had failed to fulfil its promise of eradicating poverty and had kept poor people away from development. He contrasted this with the initiatives undertaken under Modi and Adityanath, claiming that the country and Uttar Pradesh were progressing under their leadership.
Recalling his campaigning experience in Uttar Pradesh during the 2012, 2017 and 2022 elections, Nabin said he had witnessed voters repeatedly rejecting opposition parties. He accused their leaders of failing to learn from electoral defeats and resorting to what he described as excuses and crocodile tears.