Politics

Rijiju Sets Seven Conditions for Congress to Gain More Seats

By PTI

Union minister Kiren Rijiju criticised Rahul Gandhi on November 4, 2026, saying that Congress would win more MPs if Gandhi met seven conditions. He urged the opposition leader to spend more time in India, avoid secret foreign trips, respect senior party members, and learn from elders. Rijiju also told Gandhi to cease meetings with anti‑India figures, stop promoting their agenda, and end hostility toward the BJP, RSS and Prime Minister Modi. He added that Congress should treat the BJP as a political opponent, take Parliament seriously, allow MPs to participate in debates, respect the Constitution and its institutions, and break dynastic politics. Earlier that day, Rijiju posted a video of his parliamentary speech, emphasizing that Parliament is for debate and that those who deny democracy are not engaging in genuine discussion. Rahul Gandhi had challenged Modi to an open debate, claiming the PM was a traitor, prompting a sharp response from Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge demanded that Modi address questions on alleged vote theft, calling him a “Dimaagi Naxal.” Rijiju replied that the term refers only to those who support Maoist agendas, reject the Constitution, back separatists, oppose Article 370, or seek to separate the Northeast from India. Gandhi had also accused Modi of using foreign help to occupy the PM’s chair and asked why no defamation case had been filed over his foreign connections allegations. Published – November 5, 2026 03:07 am IST