BJP Slams Rahul Gandhi for Skipping VP Radhakrishnan’s Swearing-In Ceremony
New Delhi, September 12: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fired sharp criticism at Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for not attending the swearing-in of C.P. Radhakrishnan as India’s 15th Vice President. BJP leaders called his absence a blatant disregard for constitutional duties and national traditions, sparking a fresh political row.
Tarun Chugh, BJP’s National General Secretary, didn’t hold back while speaking to . "Rahul Gandhi’s repeated no-shows at key events like the Vice President’s oath-taking or even Independence Day celebrations scream violation of constitutional and democratic norms," Chugh said. "Whether it’s deliberate or just symbolic, it shows he keeps dodging his responsibilities as Leader of Opposition. He’s making a habit of this."
Echoing the same view from Mumbai, BJP President and MLA Ameet Satam pointed fingers at the opposition’s mindset. "The opposition just doesn’t get what constitutional dignity means," Satam remarked. "They skip ceremonies for high offices like the Vice President’s and reveal their true colors on customs and traditions."
Bihar Minister Nitin Nabin joined the chorus, targeting Congress’s trust in institutions. "Congress has zero faith in constitutional bodies," he said. "If they believed in India’s Constitution, they’d respect elections and honor the Election Commission and Supreme Court. This absence proves it."
But the opposition hit back with a calm defense. Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey explained that Rahul Gandhi’s packed schedule might be the reason. "As Leader of Opposition, he has massive responsibilities and travels everywhere," Dubey told . "Missing the event doesn’t mean disrespect to the Vice President. Rahul Gandhi will meet C.P. Radhakrishnan soon to congratulate him—it’s just political courtesy. Absence isn’t arrogance."
The grand ceremony took place at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath to Radhakrishnan. Top dignitaries showed up, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Vice Presidents Jagdeep Dhankhar and M. Venkaiah Naidu, ex-President Ram Nath Kovind, Union Ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, plus several state leaders.
Radhakrishnan’s win in the Vice President election came after he beat opposition candidate B. Sudershan Reddy with 452 first-preference votes. Before taking the oath, he resigned as Governor of Maharashtra, marking a big shift in his political career.
This controversy highlights ongoing tensions between BJP and Congress over constitutional roles and political etiquette, keeping the spotlight on India’s opposition dynamics.
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