New Delhi, Aug 5 (IANS) BJP Member of Parliament Bansuri Swaraj on Wednesday slammed Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi over his recent remarks targeting the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), alleging that the Congress leader "lacks the vision for a positive agenda" and relies on accusations instead of constructive politics. Her remarks came against the backdrop of Rahul Gandhi's continued criticism of the RSS, in which he has accused the organisation of attempting "institutional capture", rewriting India's history and exercising influence over key Union ministries and public universities through the backdoor.

Reacting to the remarks, Bansuri Swaraj accused Rahul Gandhi of lacking a developmental vision and said his politics was centred on allegations rather than meaningful public discourse. Speaking to reporters, she said, "Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has neither a vision for development nor a positive agenda. His politics is based only on allegations and creating illusions. Due to a lack of facts, he repeatedly targets national and ideological organisations." The BJP MP further defended the RSS, saying the organisation has been serving the nation for nearly a century through voluntary efforts and has consistently contributed to relief work during natural disasters and other emergencies.

"The RSS, which has been contributing selflessly to nation-building for the last 100 years and is often the first to undertake relief work during disasters, is repeatedly subjected to baseless allegations by Rahul Gandhi," she said. "This is truly shameful behaviour of Rahul Gandhi. The country's voters have repeatedly rejected Rahul Gandhi and the divisive policies of the Congress party," Swaraj said. On Tuesday, during a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence, Gandhi reportedly alleged that the RSS's involvement in Sainik Schools across the country was "increasing unnecessarily".

At a separate book launch event held the same day, the Leader of the Opposition also accused the RSS and the BJP of promoting the idea that India is not a collective expression of its diverse cultures.

Swaraj also questioned Rahul Gandhi over what she described as his selective approach towards issues concerning students and examination-related controversies. Referring to paper leak cases in states governed by parties belonging to the INDIA bloc, she asked why the Congress leader had remained silent on those incidents. She said she wants to ask Rahul Gandhi why he sheds 'crocodile tears' over student protests in Delhi, but maintains silence over exam controversy in Jharkhand.

--IANS