Rahul Gandhi
Leading a nationwide student agitation over NEET-UG and CBSE exam scandals, demanding Education Minister Pradhan's resignation while launching the 40-day Chhatron Ki Goonj campaign. Simultaneously managing a fraying INDIA bloc and Karnataka cabinet crisis, and pressing direct attacks on Modi over inflation and electoral integrity.
Rahul Gandhi is running the most aggressive phase of his opposition tenure, centered on a nationwide student movement over exam-system failures. On June 17 he launched Chhatron Ki Goonj with a mega rally in Kota, demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, NEET decentralization, and abolition of exam fees. He has tied at least 12 student suicides to NEET paper-leak and re-exam pressure, personally naming victims and blaming Modi directly for the death of Akanksha Chaturvedi in Mauganj. After a Nagpur candidate was allotted an Abu Dhabi exam center one day before the re-exam, Gandhi accused the NTA of "testing the patience of the country's students." He separately alleged CBSE's On-Screen Marking results were a "calculated conspiracy" tied to a Hyderabad vendor, claiming tender specifications were deliberately diluted to enable answer-sheet scanning via mobile phones. On June 25, with Congress president Kharge, he demanded Pradhan resign and apologise after Pradhan called Jantar Mantar student protesters a "B-team of terrorists," and announced a 40-day NSUI campaign culminating in a Delhi Chalo march on August 9.
The same period has tested his coalition leadership. The DMK boycotted the June 8 INDIA-bloc meeting over the Congress-TVK alliance shift in Tamil Nadu, with DMK's mouthpiece accusing Gandhi of political immaturity. Audio from that meeting surfaced of Gandhi refusing to embrace Pinarayi Vijayan, drawing CPI(M) accusations that he weakens the anti-BJP front. He publicly greeted Tamil Nadu CM Joseph Vijay on his birthday, pledging to stand with the Tamil people and affirming the TVK alliance. Despite the friction, he reaffirmed his bond with M.K. Stalin on his own birthday, vowing to defend the Constitution and federalism together. At the June 8 meeting of 23 parties, Gandhi declared himself "100 percent sure elections were robbed."
He intervened directly in Karnataka's cabinet crisis, mandating at least 10 new faces in a reshuffle amid dissatisfaction with Deputy CM Shivakumar's portfolio control. On economics, he branded Modi "Inflation Man Modi" over four May fuel-price hikes, opposed the Rs 81,000 crore Great Nicobar project as a cover for Adani-linked commercial interests, and warned of an impending "economic tsunami" at an Adivasi Congress event where he predicted Modi would not remain prime minister beyond a year. Finance Minister Sitharaman directly rebutted those claims citing GDP data and poverty-reduction figures. The MP High Court closed defamation proceedings against him on June 25 after he expressed regret for erroneously linking Kartikey Singh Chouhan to the Panama Papers at a 2018 rally.
On their plate
Launched the nationwide Chhatron Ki Goonj campaign from Kota on June 17, demanding Pradhan's resignation, NEET decentralization, and abolition of exam fees. Tied at least 12 student suicides to NEET pressure, named individual victims, and alleged CBSE On-Screen Marking results were a deliberate conspiracy tied to diluted tender specifications favoring vendor Coempt Edu Teck. Announced a 40-day NSUI campaign starting June 30 culminating in a Delhi Chalo march on August 9.
Convened 23 parties on June 8 under Kharge, declaring himself 100 percent sure elections were robbed and adopting a five-point plan. The DMK boycotted over the Congress-TVK alliance; AAP abstained alleging secret BJP ties; CPI(M) weighed exit after audio surfaced of Gandhi refusing to embrace Vijayan. He reaffirmed ties with Stalin despite the DMK rift and affirmed the TVK alliance by greeting CM Joseph Vijay. Next bloc meeting set for August 8 in Hyderabad.
Mandated at least 10 new faces in the roughly 20 remaining Cabinet berths amid discontent over CM Shivakumar's portfolio allocations. Krishna Byre Gowda refused to take charge of Bengaluru Development, citing Shivakumar's retention of BDA/BMRDA control, and traveled to Delhi seeking Gandhi's intervention. Multiple ministers including Parameshwara, Jayachandra, Zameer Ahmad Khan, and Muniyappa expressed dissatisfaction.
Branded Modi "Inflation Man Modi" over four May fuel-price hikes, alleging prices were suppressed during elections then raised to fleece citizens. Warned of an impending "economic tsunami" tied to the Strait of Hormuz crisis, predicted Modi would not remain PM within a year, and alleged the Election Commission is under full government control. Finance Minister Sitharaman directly rebutted his claims citing GDP data and poverty figures.
Opposed the Rs 81,000 crore Great Nicobar Islands project as a defense cover for Adani-linked commercial interests that would destroy coral reefs and 1.5 crore trees, advocating expansion of existing INS Baaz naval air station instead. Framed the choice as "green over greed."
Key relationships
Gandhi has repeatedly demanded Pradhan's resignation over NEET-UG and CBSE exam scandals, calling the education system an extortion racket; Pradhan dismissed Gandhi as frustrated and accused him of misleading students and creating anarchy.
Kejriwal aligned with Gandhi's demand to dismiss Pradhan over the CBSE/NEET crises, calling Pradhan incompetent and urging Gen-Z to protest, though AAP abstained from the INDIA bloc meeting.
Gehlot publicly urged the INDIA bloc to project Gandhi as its leader and alleged BJP intimidation of Kota coaching operators to suppress student turnout at Gandhi's rally.
Sitharaman directly rebutted Gandhi's warnings of an impending economic disaster, citing GDP data and poverty-reduction figures to dismiss his claims.
Audio from a June 8 INDIA meeting surfaced of Gandhi refusing to hug Vijayan due to their political rivalry; Vijayan and CPI(M) leaders accused Gandhi of effectively facilitating BJP interests.
Banerjee joined Gandhi's attack over NEET student suicides and stood with him at the June 8 INDIA meeting urging unity for 2029, though she was only 90% sure elections were robbed versus Gandhi's 100%.
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