NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Bansuri Swaraj on Sunday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal of engaging in a “competition of anarchy”, alleging that voters had rejected both parties and that their leaders were making excuses for their electoral defeats.Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters, the New Delhi MP said the Congress and AAP had failed to win the people’s trust and were looking for reasons to explain their setbacks instead of engaging in constructive politics.“It appears a competition of anarchy is emerging between Arvind Kejriwal and Rahul Gandhi—whether it is the Aam Aadmi Party or the Congress party, the voters of this nation have rejected both. Having failed to secure power through the popular mandate, they are now seeking excuses for their defeat,” Swaraj said.Her remarks came amid a political confrontation over the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protests demanding the resignation of chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, which saw heavy police deployment and the detention of several Opposition leaders in Delhi.
Rahul Gandhi announces fresh INDIA bloc protest
Leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has announced that the Congress and the INDIA bloc will return to the streets on October 12, alleging that Delhi Police personnel and BJP workers used violence against students and women during the protests.In a series of posts on X on Saturday, the Raebareli MP accused the government of attempting to suppress the voices of young people and students. He also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi by referring to the fictional villain Mogambo from the film Mr India.The Congress leader accused Union home minister Amit Shah’s Delhi Police of resorting to “thuggery” and alleged that workers of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and BJP had been allowed to attack women and young protesters.“Amit Shah’s Delhi Police has not only resorted to thuggery itself but is also giving a free hand and encouragement to the real goons of the RSS-BJP to perpetrate violence against women and the youth,” he said.He added that attempts to suppress young people would only intensify their anger.“As I had said, the more ‘Mogambo Modi’ and his government try to suppress them, the more the anger of Gen Z and the students will intensify,” Rahul said.Announcing the next protest, he said, “On Monday, October 12, the Congress, the entire INDIA alliance, and the youth of the country will once again take to the streets in large numbers. And this time, too, the voice will resonate across the nation-louder than ever before.”Rahul also said the opposition would meet the Chief Justice on Monday to seek accountability over the alleged violence and the treatment of protesters.
Kejriwal attacks PM Modi, faces gurdwara complaint
AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal also targeted PM Modi over the police crackdown on the CJP-led protest, invoking Hitler to criticise the treatment of demonstrators.In a video posted on X, Kejriwal alleged that young women, lawyers and journalists were mistreated during Saturday’s operation and warned that the demand for resignation could extend beyond CEC Gyanesh Kumar.“The way Modi ji unleashed a reign of terror yesterday, he crossed all limits and left even Hitler behind,” Kejriwal said, adding, “It should not come to a point where, along with Gyanesh Kumar, Modi ji himself is forced to resign this time”.Separately, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) approached the Delhi Police with a complaint against Kejriwal and other AAP leaders, accusing them of disrupting the sanctity of Gurudwara Bangla Sahib during the protests and circulating misleading videos of the incident.The committee alleged that protesters raised political slogans inside the premises and sought action against those involved. Kejriwal and AAP leaders have maintained that protesters took shelter inside the gurdwara after police stopped them from proceeding towards Jantar Mantar.
#WATCH | Delhi: Harmeet Singh Kalka, President, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), says, “There is great resentment within the Sikh community regarding the manner in which some AAP workers entered Gurudwara Bangla Sahib posing as protesters, unfurled banners and posters, and staged a demonstration. We have taken strict action against them and have also lodged a police complaint against their party supremo, Arvind Kejriwal… Some police personnel also went there; we condemn that, and today we have instructed the DCP to direct police personnel to avoid entering the ‘Guru Ghar’ in uniform. Even though it is a public thoroughfare and they did not actually step onto the Gurudwara premises itself, police personnel should exercise restraint given the current atmosphere. All the protesters were sent by Arvind Kejriwal, and this is a matter for investigation because the workers we have identified are all associated with the AAP. Furthermore, as soon as this action took place, AAP MLAs, their workers, and even Bhagwant Mann himself tweeted about the police presence inside the ‘Guru Ghar’, misleading people with incomplete information. People were told that the police had entered the ‘Guru Ghar’, whereas not a single police officer even stepped onto the Gurudwara’s steps. If anyone comes there to stage a protest—whether it is Arvind Kejriwal, Rahul Gandhi, or even the National President of the BJP—we will not allow anyone to demonstrate inside the Gurudwara.” He further says, “I would say the same thing to every agitator exercising their right to protest… We saw thousands—in fact, I believe lakhs of ‘Sangat’ arrive over a span of three days; no one was stopped then, nor will anyone be stopped now or in the future. We have no issue with protesters coming here. However, we will not allow protests to take place inside the ‘Guru Ghar’. As you all saw in the videos, they brought banners and posters and started raising slogans—actions that run contrary to the sanctity of the ‘Guru Ghar’.”— ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2026
The police, however, said personnel used a common passage to reach the protesters and did not enter the main sanctum.
BJP targets Congress over JNU professor’s dismissal
Separately, Swaraj launched another attack on Rahul and the Congress over the dismissal of party MP and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam following an inquiry into sexual harassment allegations.Swaraj questioned why the Congress had not initiated disciplinary action against Akoijam, asking whether “nari samman” was merely a slogan for the party rather than a policy.“Rahul Gandhi, this nation calls you out for your selective outrage, your motivated stance and for your false narrative,” she said.“If ‘smash the patriarchy’ is not a motivated stance and not mere political rhetoric for you, then take action against your MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam,” she added.JNU dismissed Akoijam from service with immediate effect on Friday after its inquiry found him guilty, PTI reported. He was a professor at the university’s Centre for the Study of Social Systems under the School of Social Sciences.At least 11 female students filed sexual harassment complaints against him in May. The complainants alleged that he invited students to his campus residence under the pretext of meetings or gatherings and attempted to sexually harass them.
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Some also alleged that he made obscene and inappropriate remarks in class.Swaraj accused the Congress leadership, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Sonia Gandhi, of remaining silent on the matter. She alleged that the party had neither initiated an internal inquiry nor issued a show-cause notice to Akoijam or begun disciplinary proceedings against him.
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