BJP President Amit Shah at the party's National Executive meet in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: The prolonged disappearance of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is a goldmine for political opponent BJP. Today, BJP chief Amit Shah said that "Instead of trying to find fault with the PM's coalition government, the Congress should find its missing leader."
Mr Shah's remarks were made at a conclave of the BJP in Bengaluru where the party's A-listers led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi are working on plans for upcoming elections in important states like Bihar, and prepping an extensive campaign to counter the opposition, which has accused the government of exposing its "anti-farmer" stand by proposing land reforms that make significant changes to an existing law.
Mr Gandhi, 44, will return to Delhi on the 12th of this month, said Congress sources yesterday, a week ahead of a party rally to attack the government over its land reforms. The Vice-President's location for the last six weeks has remained undisclosed - his party says his "leave of absence" is an exercise to "contemplate and introspect."
Mr Gandhi's mother, Sonia, has, at a series of public appearances this week, said, "Rahul will be with you soon." Over the last few days, BJP leaders have made remarks like "eclipses can be predicted, Mr Gandhi's return cannot". Yesterday, in response to the news that plans for Mr Gandhi's arrival appear to have been firmed up, BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain quipped, "Are you serious?" That was the catchphrase of Mr Gandhi's brother-in-law Robert Vadra in an angry exchange with a reporter a few months ago.
Mr Gandhi went off the political map after a series of electoral disasters for his party, which included a colossal defeat in last year's national election and this year's state election in Delhi. However, his party, centred on the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, has said he cannot be held accountable for Congress losses. A party gathering next month is expected to promote him to President, the office currently occupied by his mother.