The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri took to social media to address Rahul Gandhi’s comments regarding the recent unopposed election of BJP candidate Mukesh Dalal in Surat. Puri pointed out that this was not an isolated incident, highlighting that 35 candidates have been elected unopposed in general elections and by-elections since India’s independence, with many being from the Congress party itself.
Puri’s response on X aimed to counter criticism from Gandhi, emphasizing that more than half of these unopposed candidates were affiliated with the Congress, including notable figures such as Farooq Abdullah in 1980 and Dimple Yadav in 2012. This, he suggested, undermines Gandhi’s conspiracy theories and misconceptions about democratic processes.
Additionally, Puri critiqued Gandhi’s selective outrage and historical awareness, particularly his fear-mongering regarding the Constitution. He brought up Capt Viriato Fernandes, an I.N.D.I. Alliance candidate from South Goa, who has called for dual citizenship, claiming that the Constitution was imposed on Goans.
The controversy started when the nomination papers of Congress candidate Nilesh Kumbhani were rejected due to discrepancies in the signatures of his proposers, leading to Dalal’s unopposed victory. Following this event, Gujarat BJP Chief CR Paatil dedicated the victory to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressed confidence in repeating their 2019 performance across the state.
Puri’s remarks highlight a recurring theme in Indian politics where past precedents are often brought to the forefront to challenge current criticisms, showcasing the complexities of electoral politics in the world’s largest democracy.