Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), directly challenging the efficacy and integrity of its much-touted 'double engine' governance model. Speaking at a public rally in Himachal Pradesh's Solan district on Sunday, Gandhi alleged that this model has led to rampant corruption and a breakdown of systems in states where both the central and state governments are run by the BJP.
Allegations of Systemic Failure and Corruption
Gandhi did not mince words, stating that the 'double engine' governments have effectively become 'bhrasht' (corrupt) engines. He claimed that in these states, the administrative and legal systems are being manipulated to protect the interests of a select few. "Wherever there is a double-engine government, the system has been corrupted," Gandhi asserted, addressing the crowd in the Dharampur assembly constituency.
The Congress MP from Wayanad provided a stark contrast by praising the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh. He commended the state administration for its dedication to public welfare, specifically highlighting its implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for government employees—a key poll promise. Gandhi framed the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as a critical battle between two opposing ideologies: one represented by the Congress, which he claims stands for the people, and the other by the BJP, which he accuses of serving only a handful of billionaires.
Targeting Specific States and Promising Action
Rahul Gandhi pointed to several BJP-ruled states as examples of the alleged failure. He specifically mentioned Uttarakhand, Karnataka, and Gujarat, claiming that the governments there have been involved in significant corruption scandals. "In Uttarakhand, there is a liquor scam, in Karnataka, there is a 40 percent commission government, and in Gujarat, there are drug scandals," he alleged, painting a picture of widespread malpractice under the double-engine setup.
The Congress leader made a firm commitment to the public, vowing that his party would not remain silent. He promised a relentless fight to ensure justice and accountability. "We will fight from Parliament to the streets. We will not let them get away with this," Gandhi declared, signaling an aggressive campaign strategy in the lead-up to the general elections.
The Political Context and Electoral Battle
The rally in Solan holds considerable political significance. The event was organized to bolster support for the Congress candidate, Vinod Sultanpuri, who is contesting from the Mandi Lok Sabha constituency. This seat is currently held by the BJP's Pratibha Singh, but is witnessing a high-stakes contest. Gandhi's sharp critique of the BJP's governance model is a clear attempt to undermine one of the ruling party's central campaign themes and sway voters in a key Himalayan state.
Gandhi's speech consistently emphasized a narrative of inequality and injustice. He accused the BJP-led central government of creating two separate sets of rules: one for the common citizen and a vastly different, lenient one for its favored industrialists. This, he argued, is the core failure of the current political regime. The Congress leader positioned his party as the sole defender of the Constitution and the rights of farmers, youth, women, and laborers, promising to restore balance and fairness to the political system if voted to power.
