In the Name of Kharge’s Birthday… Congress Hatches a Master Plan

As part of a secret strategy executed under the pretext of Mallikarjun Kharge’s 84th birthday, the Congress Party staged a sudden protest near Official Residence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Demanding the resignation of the Central Government and Home Minister Amit Shah, several top leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, participated in this protest program.

On Tuesday, the Congress party pulled off a surprising political move; neither the media nor security agencies had any prior information about it. Although a meeting of top party leaders was organized on the occasion of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s 84th birthday, that event served merely as a pretext; right after, all the party leaders suddenly moved toward ‘7, Lok Kalyan Marg’, the official residence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Demanding the resignations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress MPs, and senior leaders staged a sit-in protest (dharna) outside the Prime Minister’s residence. Upon reaching the PM’s residence, Congress leaders sat down there, protested, and raised slogans against the Central Government. The party demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in protest against the police action taken on Monday against protesters of a student union named ‘CJP’ (Cockroach Janata Party) during a rally to Parliament. The party alleged that the voice of students and youth was being suppressed.

To resolve the situation, the government dispatched Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Dr. Jitendra Singh, to the area. He requested Rahul Gandhi to call off the protest, but the Congress leaders continued their demonstration. Later, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan also arrived at the spot.

However, the Congress had planned this strategy in absolute secrecy. Initially, the party intended to march to Vijay Chowk after the adjournment of Parliament proceedings, but that plan leaked beforehand. Congress worried that the police would set up barricades in advance to block the leaders.

In the meantime, the party leadership changed its strategy. To avoid raising any suspicion, it was decided to invite senior leaders to Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence under the guise of a birthday dinner. Around 3:00 PM, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Members of Parliament, and other senior leaders reached Kharge’s residence. Security agencies assumed it was merely a birthday celebration.

As soon as all the main leaders gathered, they set off together toward the Prime Minister’s residence. Congress aimed to reach the residence and hold a symbolic protest; however, security forces stopped them a short distance away. Party sources stated that Congress intended to increase pressure on the Central Government through this protest. Congress has been continuously alleging that key issues concerning students, including the NEET-UG paper leak, are not being discussed in Parliament. The opposition argues that the government is ignoring these issues.

Through this protest, Congress wanted to send a signal that it is actively responding to issues concerning students and youth. In recent times, social activist Sonam Wangchuk has been continuously protesting against the issue of exam paper leaks. Although Congress extended support to his movement, the party leadership was not seen participating in it directly or actively. Against this backdrop, Congress felt that its image regarding student and youth issues should not appear weak.

As part of this strategy, the party attempted to bring political pressure on the government by holding a surprise protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence.