New Delhi, October 2026 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, criticising his alleged frequent foreign visits and predicting that the Congress would remain out of power for the next 30 years.
Shah made the remarks while addressing a gathering at the inauguration and foundation-laying ceremony of projects aimed at rejuvenating the Yamuna River in New Delhi. He also targeted the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over their record on river pollution, criticised Opposition protests over electoral rolls and reiterated the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) commitment to tackling drug abuse in Punjab by 2029.
The Home Minister accused Rahul Gandhi and his associates of using allegations of “vote chori” (vote theft) to defend what he described as the interests of illegal infiltrators. The Congress and other Opposition parties have raised concerns over electoral processes, including the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists.
“The country has realised Rahul ji that you and your associates want to protect the votes of the illegal infiltrators under the garb of 'vote chori' allegations,” Shah said.
Shah Predicts 30 Years of Congress Opposition
Referring to Rahul Gandhi's criticism of his confidence in the BJP's electoral prospects, Shah said the Congress had already lost power in several states before the BJP-led NDA formed the government at the Centre.
He said his prediction that the BJP would remain in power for another three decades had been questioned by the Opposition, which attributed such confidence to alleged irregularities in elections.
Taking a swipe at Rahul Gandhi's reported foreign travel, Shah said he remained connected with people in India and did not need to travel abroad every six months.
“Amit Shah was born here, lives here, and will die here. I do not have to travel abroad every six months; I remain among the people of this country,” he said.
Shah asserted that the Congress would not return to power under its current political approach and urged Rahul Gandhi to remember his prediction for the next 30 years. He also referred to the Opposition leader's reported absence from India, saying he would reiterate his remarks when Gandhi returned to Delhi.
Home Minister Defends Election Commission and EVMs
Shah also criticised the Congress-led Opposition for questioning the Election Commission of India (ECI), electronic voting machines (EVMs) and electoral rolls following election defeats.
He cited electoral victories in Kerala, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to argue that Opposition parties had accepted the electoral system when results favoured them but questioned its credibility when they lost.
According to Shah, the same election machinery, voter lists and Election Commissioner had been in place during elections in which Opposition parties or their allies secured victories.
He accused the Congress of applying what he described as double standards by accepting electoral institutions when they delivered favourable results and rejecting them otherwise.
The remarks came amid protests by INDIA bloc parties against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Shah said political parties should accept the people's mandate and focus on public concerns rather than mobilising workers from neighbouring states for demonstrations in Delhi. He argued that electoral success required parties to engage with voters and understand their problems.
The allegations surrounding electoral rolls and the conduct of elections remain politically contested, with Opposition parties seeking greater scrutiny of the revision process.
Congress and AAP Criticised Over Yamuna Pollution
Turning to the Yamuna River's pollution, Shah accused the Congress and AAP of failing to deliver adequate improvements despite their periods in power.
He said the two parties had not done enough to address the river's condition and asserted that the BJP, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, would work to clean the Yamuna up to the Sangam.
The remarks were made at an event marking the launch of projects associated with Yamuna rejuvenation in the national capital. The initiatives form part of the broader political debate over river pollution, sewage treatment, waste management and environmental restoration in Delhi.
Shah said the BJP intended to take up the challenge of cleaning the river and criticised previous administrations for their handling of the issue.
He also urged the Congress to concentrate on governance in states where it had secured electoral victories, warning that continued political confrontation without addressing public concerns could further weaken the party.
Shah Targets Arvind Kejriwal, Sets 2029 Drug-Free Punjab Goal
The Home Minister also launched an attack on AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, referring to the party's political activities in Punjab after losing power in Delhi.
Shah alleged that Kejriwal had not allowed Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to function independently and argued that political excuses could not replace measurable governance outcomes.
“Politics of excuse doesn't work for long; results need to reflect,” Shah said, adding that AAP would face further political setbacks in the state.
He also reiterated the NDA's stated goal of eliminating the drug menace in Punjab by 2029.
Shah said the government was committed to eradicating drug abuse and challenged the AAP leadership to demonstrate results in tackling the problem. Drug trafficking and substance abuse have remained major political and public policy concerns in Punjab, with parties frequently debating enforcement, rehabilitation and prevention measures.
His remarks placed the issue of narcotics control alongside the BJP's broader political messaging on law enforcement and governance.
Political Debate Intensifies Ahead of Future Elections
Shah's address combined criticism of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress with attacks on AAP's record in Delhi and Punjab. He defended the credibility of electoral institutions, challenged the Opposition to accept election results and highlighted the BJP's stated priorities on Yamuna cleanup and drug control.
While the Home Minister predicted a prolonged period of Congress opposition, his remarks represented a political assertion rather than an established electoral outcome. The Opposition's concerns over electoral rolls and its criticism of the government continue to form part of the wider political debate.
Shah concluded by urging the Congress to focus on governance and public welfare in the states where it holds power, while reiterating that protests and political allegations alone would not secure electoral victories.
