A political storm has erupted in India, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) taking aim at Congress leader P Chidambaram for his recent column on the Bihar polls. In a bold move, BJP has slammed Chidambaram for his opinion piece, sparking a heated debate and raising questions about the state of Indian politics.
The Core Issue: A Battle of Narratives
Chidambaram’s column, titled ‘Voting is not the end of responsibilities’, has sparked controversy. He expressed his disappointment that Bihar did not elect a strong opposition, shifting the blame onto the voters. This narrative has not gone down well with BJP, who see it as a defensive strategy to protect their ‘prince’, Rahul Gandhi.
BJP national spokesperson, Shehzad Poonawalla, took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his concerns. He accused Congress of avoiding self-reflection and instead blaming the public. Poonawalla’s tweet read, “Congress, instead of introspection, chooses to defend Rahul Gandhi by blaming the people. Chidambaram’s words, ‘it is the responsibility of voters to bring them to power’, show their sense of entitlement.”
The Blame Game: EVMs, Voter Rolls, and Bihar’s Janta
Poonawalla further elaborated, suggesting that Congress would blame electronic voting machines (EVMs), special intensive revision of voter rolls (SIR), and even the people of Bihar, rather than accepting responsibility. He accused Congress of insulting Bihar by shifting the blame away from Rahul Gandhi’s leadership.
In a series of tweets, Poonawalla highlighted the 95 losses under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, questioning Congress’ strategy. He wrote, “Blame EVM, Blame SIR, and now blame Bihar’s Janta. Congress continues to insult Bihar by not holding Rahul Gandhi accountable.”
Trinamool Congress’ Take: A Blow to Congress’ Pride?
Adding fuel to the fire, Poonawalla shared a news screenshot where Trinamool Congress leader suggested that Mamata Banerjee should lead the INDIA bloc, indicating a lack of confidence in Rahul Gandhi. This development has further embarrassed Congress, with Poonawalla questioning when they will realize their mistakes and stop blaming external factors.
Chidambaram’s Analysis: A Deeper Dive
In his opinion piece, Chidambaram analyzed the 2025 Bihar assembly polls results. He highlighted the BJP’s victory with 89 seats and its ally Janata Dal (United) with 85 seats, while the Opposition bloc suffered a significant defeat. Chidambaram questioned the voting behavior in Bihar, given the poverty and unemployment in the state. He urged the people of Bihar to embrace the spirit of the Champaran era, emphasizing the importance of a strong opposition.
The Bigger Picture: A Call for Self-Reflection
Chidambaram’s column has sparked a much-needed conversation about the state of Indian politics. While BJP has criticized Congress’ defensive strategy, it also raises questions about the role of opposition parties and their ability to hold the government accountable. This debate highlights the importance of self-reflection and the need for political parties to address their shortcomings rather than shifting blame.
Your Thoughts?
This political drama has certainly captured the nation’s attention. What are your thoughts on the matter? Do you agree with BJP’s criticism of Congress, or do you see it as a normal part of political discourse? Feel free to share your opinions and engage in a healthy discussion in the comments below!