Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday launched a fresh attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, questioning the Opposition’s allegations of vote theft and asserting that the Congress would not return to power for the next 30 years.

Addressing an event in New Delhi, Shah criticised Gandhi over his absence from the country and challenged the Congress’s objections to the Election Commission of India (ECI), arguing that the party accepted the electoral process when it won elections but questioned it after defeats.

The remarks came during an event related to projects for the rejuvenation of the Yamuna, where Shah also targeted the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over their political record in Delhi.

Amit Shah’s warning to Rahul Gandhi

Taking a dig at Gandhi over his reported foreign visit, Shah said the Congress leader would have to remember his words when he returned to Delhi.

The Home Minister argued that the Congress’s political setbacks had begun long before Narendra Modi became Prime Minister and said the party could not attribute its electoral losses solely to allegations of irregularities in elections.

Shah also defended his confidence in the BJP’s electoral prospects, contrasting his prediction of the party remaining in power with the Congress’s prospects under its current political approach.

He asserted that the Congress would not get another opportunity to form a government for the next 30 years. The statement was a political prediction made by Shah, rather than an established electoral outcome.

Shah questions Congress over vote theft allegations

Shah accused the Congress and other Opposition parties of adopting inconsistent positions on the Election Commission, depending on whether election results favoured them.

Citing electoral victories in states including Kerala, Telangana and Himachal Pradesh, he argued that the Congress and its allies had accepted the electoral process when they won.

He questioned why the same institutions and electoral arrangements became subjects of criticism when the Opposition lost elections.

Shah also targeted the Opposition’s protests against alleged electoral irregularities and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He alleged that the Congress was using vote theft claims to protect the votes of infiltrators.

These were allegations made by the Home Minister and should be understood as his political assertions, not as independently established findings.

Amit Shah targets Opposition’s protest strategy

The Home Minister also criticised the Opposition’s demonstrations in Delhi, arguing that protests could not overturn the public mandate.

He said political parties seeking electoral victories should engage with people and address their concerns rather than rely on demonstrations and allegations against constitutional institutions.

Shah further accused the Opposition of applying different standards to court decisions, suggesting that it welcomed judgments in its favour while questioning those that went against it.

His remarks came amid continuing political disagreements over the electoral process and the Opposition’s criticism of the Election Commission.

Yamuna projects and attack on AAP

During the same event, Shah inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 43 Delhi Jal Board projects worth Rs. 8,941 crore, aimed at improving wastewater treatment, drinking water infrastructure and the rejuvenation of the Yamuna.

He criticised previous governments in Delhi over the river’s pollution and accused the Congress and AAP of failing to address the problem adequately.

Shah also targeted AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, arguing that political parties should be judged by their performance rather than their explanations for failing to deliver results.

He said the BJP would work towards cleaning the Yamuna and improving water and sewerage infrastructure in the national capital.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reiterated the Centre’s commitment to eliminating the drug trade in Punjab by December 31, 2029, drawing a parallel with the government’s claim that it has ended Naxalism.

Speaking at a Vijayadashami event in Ludhiana on Tuesday, Shah said the fight against narcotics would continue until the drug trade was eliminated. He also called on the Punjab government to transfer two additional cases involving people who had opposed the drug menace to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Shah’s remarks came during his visit to Punjab, where he met families affected by deaths linked to the state’s drug problem.

Amit Shah sets 2029 deadline for drug-free Punjab

Addressing the gathering in Ludhiana, Shah said the government had fulfilled several of its commitments, citing the removal of Article 370 and Article 35A, progress against terrorism and the end of Naxalism.

He said the next priority was to eliminate the drug trade.

Shah reiterated his resolve to eliminate Punjab’s drug trade by December 31, 2029, describing the commitment as a tribute to three people whose families he met during his visit.

The Home Minister urged people to share information about the drug trade through the Narcotics Control Bureau’s toll-free helpline, assuring them that the Modi government would take action on the information received.

Shah seeks CBI probes into two more cases

During his Punjab visit, Shah met the families of Bikramjit Singh in Gurdaspur, Gulzar Singh in Sangrur and Parwinder Singh Jhota in Mansa.

Shah met the families and assured them that action would be taken in the cases.

Shah referred to the case involving Parwinder Singh Jhota in Mansa, which had been transferred to the CBI. He urged Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to transfer the two other cases, associated with Sangrur and Gurdaspur, to the central agency as well.

The Home Minister said the investigations should establish accountability, adding that influential people involved in the cases would not be spared.

Shah criticises Punjab government over drug menace

Shah accused the Aam Aadmi Party-led government in Punjab of failing to control the drug trade. He also criticised the state administration over the treatment of people who had raised concerns about narcotics.

Referring to the spread of ‘chitta’, a term commonly used for heroin in Punjab, Shah said the drug trade had reached villages across the state.

He argued that people speaking out against the menace were facing serious consequences, including death and suicide, and called for stronger action against those responsible.

The Punjab government and the individuals referred to in the allegations should be given an opportunity to respond to specific accusations.

Shah maintained that the Centre would use its available resources to pursue the cases and work towards ending the drug trade in Punjab by the end of 2029.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has come under fire from BJP leaders over a social media post referring to the reported burning of Albania’s Supreme Court. His remarks, in which he suggested that countries should learn from the unrest in Albania, particularly India, triggered accusations that he was encouraging disorder and threatening constitutional institutions.

The BJP criticised Raut’s comments and demanded an apology. The controversy prompted the Rajya Sabha MP to clarify his position, asserting that he has faith in India’s Supreme Court and believes the judiciary can play a crucial role in safeguarding the country.

What Sanjay Raut said about Albania

In a post on X on October 19, Raut referred to reports of the Supreme Court building in Albania being set on fire during protests. He claimed that people were angry because the court was helping a prime minister facing corruption allegations.

Raut also referred to attacks on Albania’s parliament, government offices and ministers’ residences. He said countries should draw lessons from these developments, specifically referring to India.

His remarks drew criticism from BJP leaders, who interpreted the post as an inappropriate comparison between the unrest in Albania and India’s political and judicial institutions.

BJP leaders demand an apology

BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan strongly criticised Raut’s language, describing it as indefensible and accusing him of making remarks that threatened India’s constitutional institutions.

Kesavan compared the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader to Mir Jafar, accusing him of using language that undermined the country’s institutions and democratic mandate.

BJP leader Kirit Somaiya also attacked Raut, alleging that his remarks reflected support for anarchy and that he was targeting constitutional institutions.

Somaiya said the public would not accept attempts to encourage disorder in the country. He also referred to a contempt petition involving Raut in the Supreme Court and said the matter would be addressed there.

The BJP further demanded an apology from Raut, questioning the message conveyed by his reference to the burning of Albania’s Supreme Court.

Sanjay Raut clarifies his position

Responding to the criticism, Raut said his remarks were intended as a warning about the possibility of growing disorder if the current government remained in power.

He urged the Supreme Court to take note of the situation and maintained that he had faith in the institution.

Raut said the Supreme Court was the institution capable of saving the nation and argued that the situation could lead to chaos if concerns were not addressed.

His clarification came amid the political row over whether his reference to the unrest in Albania amounted to an endorsement of violent protests in India.

Congress leader Udit Raj backs Raut’s remarks

Congress leader Udit Raj expressed support for Raut’s position and raised questions about bail decisions in prominent cases.

Referring to Umar Khalid, Raj questioned why bail had been denied to him while other individuals had received bail. He argued that courts should provide reasoned orders explaining such decisions.

His comments added a judicial dimension to the political debate surrounding Raut’s remarks.

Shiv Sena leader rejects the prospect of violence

Shiv Sena leader Anand Dubey also responded to the controversy, rejecting any suggestion that India should experience violence, arson or widespread disorder similar to incidents reported in other countries.

Invoking the occasion of Vijayadashami, Dubey said that righteousness, justice and truth ultimately prevailed over their opposites.

He asserted that India would not descend into conditions involving violence and destruction, referring to unrest in countries including Albania, France, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal.

The remarks highlighted the political disagreement over how unrest abroad should be interpreted in the Indian context.

The controversy has centred on Raut’s reference to Albania’s unrest, the BJP’s accusations and the Shiv Sena (UBT) MP’s subsequent clarification that he continues to have faith in the Supreme Court.