‘Oppose, Expose, Depose’: Congress Counters Rajnath Singh’s ‘Regime Change’ Charge

The Congress on Friday hit back at Defence Minister Rajnath Singh over his allegation that the Opposition was seeking a change of government in India along the lines of Bangladesh, invoking former President Pranab Mukherjee ’s remark that the role of the Opposition in a democracy is to “oppose, expose and depose”.

Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said Singh needed to be reminded of Mukherjee’s observation on the responsibilities of the Opposition in a democratic system.

“The Defence Minister needs to be reminded of what the former President Pranab Mukherjee, who was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2019, would often say: the job of the Opposition in a democracy is to oppose, expose and depose,” Ramesh said.

The exchange followed Singh’s criticism of the Congress and its allies over protests in the national capital. Addressing a press conference in Lucknow, the Defence Minister alleged that the Opposition parties were attempting to use the energy of young people to fuel political confrontation and create disorder.

Singh said democratic rights did not give anyone the licence to disrupt public order or undermine the credibility of constitutional institutions. He alleged that the Congress and its political allies, both directly and through organisations supporting them, were encouraging an atmosphere of confrontation instead of directing young people towards constructive activities and nation-building.

“The youth of the country are being made pawns in the politics of anarchy,” Singh said. He further claimed that the Congress and its allies wanted a change of government in India similar to the political developments in Bangladesh.

The Congress rejected Singh’s characterisation of the Opposition’s role, defending its democratic right to challenge the government and hold it accountable. The sharp exchange highlights the continuing political confrontation between the ruling establishment and the Opposition over protests, democratic freedoms and the limits of political dissent.

While Singh accused the Congress of promoting disorder, Ramesh countered by citing Mukherjee’s formulation to underline the Opposition’s role in questioning those in power.