Vadnagar (Gujarat), Oct 7 (PTI) Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his sit-in protest in New Delhi a day earlier, saying the “asli” (real) youth do not forcibly enter the Akashvani Bhavan premises but script a new history of development.
Speaking at the culmination of the ‘Varanasi to Vadnagar Seva Yatra’ bike rally in Gujarat’s Vadnagar, the home town of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chouhan accused the Opposition of attempting to plunge the country into anarchy.
The event was held as part of the BJP’s nationwide ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’ marking PM Modi’s 25 years in public office.
On Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi scaled police barricades and pushed his way into the Akashvani Bhawan premises in New Delhi, staging a nearly nine-hour sit-in under a tree with his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other leaders against the alleged “vote chori”.
Targeting the Congress leader without explicitly naming him, Chouhan said, “Our youth are moving forward with the pledge of service. But yesterday we saw another leader, who calls himself a youth, barge into Akashvani (premises) and just sit there in Delhi. Such people want to create an atmosphere of anarchy in the country.”
“Real youth is not the one who forcibly enters Akashvani premises in Delhi. Real youth are those whose feet possess momentum and fire, whose eyes hold dreams, and who refuse to bow before injustice and oppression,” the Union Agriculture Minister said, commending the young volunteers who took part in the rally from Varanasi to Vadnagar.
Mocking the Opposition’s allegations of electoral malpractices, Chouhan remarked, “When they lose elections, they claim votes were stolen. When they were winning in West Bengal until now, what happened then? Were votes not stolen then?”
Referring to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s electoral victory over then West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Chouhan added, “And now they cry, ‘Vote theft, vote theft, vote theft!’ Votes were not stolen; their intellect has been stolen!”
He further alleged that while the Prime Minister prioritises ‘Nation First’, the Opposition operates on the principle of ‘our family first’.
Praising PM Modi’s 25 years in public office, Chouhan described him as the “embodiment of patience” far from arrogance and ego.
He recalled the Prime Minister’s calm demeanour during the COVID-19 crisis, noting that Modi ensured India not only developed its own vaccine but also successfully delivered it to 100 nations.
The Union Minister also highlighted the government’s strong response to cross-border terrorism.
Recalling the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, Chouhan said PM Modi vowed to track down the hiding terrorists anywhere in the world and teach them a lesson.
“….And then ‘Operation Sindoor’ took place. The entire world witnessed it… terrorist hideouts in Pakistan were turned into graveyards. Today, India is safe because of Modi. India is progressing because of him,” Chouhan said.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and his Gujarat counterpart Bhupendra Patel also attended the event. PTI Cor PJT PD NSK
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