In a political twist that has drawn sharp criticism, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday alleged that the late former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had threatened him for opposing the now-repealed farm laws. The comment, made during Congress’ annual legal conclave at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, has stirred backlash from both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Jaitley’s family.
Rahul Gandhi’s Statement: “He Was Sent to Threaten Me”
While addressing legal professionals at the Congress event, Rahul Gandhi made an explosive remark, stating:
“I remember when I was fighting the farm laws—he’s not here anymore, so I really shouldn’t say it, but I will—Arun Jaitley ji was sent to me to threaten me.”
According to Gandhi, Jaitley allegedly warned him that continued opposition to the farm laws would invite consequences from the government. Rahul claimed he retorted, saying:
“I think you don’t know who you’re talking to. We are Congress people; we never bend. Even the British couldn’t break us.”
Rohan Jaitley Responds with a Timeline Reality Check
Reacting swiftly to the allegation, Rohan Jaitley, son of Arun Jaitley, countered Rahul Gandhi’s statement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). He wrote:
“Rahul Gandhi now claims my late father, Arun Jaitley, threatened him over the farm laws. Let me remind him, my father passed away in 2019. The farm laws were introduced in 2020.”
He added that his father was a staunch democrat who believed in dialogue, not threats. Rohan also urged Rahul Gandhi to be more respectful when referring to deceased individuals:
“I would appreciate Rahul Gandhi being mindful while speaking of those not with us. He attempted something similar with Manohar Parrikar ji, politicising his final days which was in equally poor taste.”
BJP Slams Claim as Fake News
The BJP dismissed Rahul Gandhi’s statement outright. Amit Malviya, head of the BJP’s IT cell, labeled it “Fake News” and posted a detailed rebuttal:
“Fake News Alert. Rahul Gandhi claims that Arun Jaitley approached him to water down his opposition to the 2020 farm laws. Let’s set the record straight – Arun Jaitley ji passed away on August 24, 2019.”
Malviya added:
“The draft Farm Bills were brought to the Union Cabinet on June 3, 2020. The laws were enacted in September 2020.”
This clearly indicates that the timeline does not align with Rahul Gandhi’s claim.
Rahul Gandhi Faces Backlash from Multiple Fronts
The incident isn’t the first time Rahul Gandhi has made controversial remarks about deceased BJP leaders. He had earlier drawn criticism for statements involving former Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, which many viewed as distasteful.
Saturday’s remark has once again opened him up to widespread political backlash, with demands for a retraction and an apology.
Congress Remains Silent on Clarification
As of now, the Congress party has not issued any clarification or defense regarding Rahul Gandhi’s statement. With mounting evidence contradicting the claim, political analysts suggest the episode could damage the party’s credibility ahead of upcoming political battles.
A Blunder or Political Strategy?
Rahul Gandhi’s remarks, whether a genuine recollection or a calculated political move, have backfired significantly. The chronological mismatch between Arun Jaitley’s death and the introduction of the farm laws makes the allegation not only questionable but also potentially damaging to Congress’ image.
In a political environment where fact-checking is more accessible than ever, such misstatements can have long-lasting consequences. As the BJP continues to corner the Congress over “fake news,” the burden now lies on Rahul Gandhi to explain or correct his controversial assertion.