Hyderabad: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday, November 2, 2026, took a sharp dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his Prime Ministerial ambitions, saying that he could become the Prime Minister only in a “mock Parliament” and not in the actual Parliament. Shah made the remarks while addressing a BJP gathering in Hyderabad, Telangana, during the party’s campaign against the Congress and the INDIA bloc.
The comments came amid an escalating political confrontation between the BJP and Opposition parties over alleged electoral irregularities and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Amit Shah’s Mock Parliament Remark
Referring to the mock Parliament organised by Opposition leaders recently, Shah said Rahul Gandhi should have taken the opportunity to become Prime Minister during the symbolic parliamentary exercise.
Taking a swipe at Gandhi, the Home Minister remarked that he would never become Prime Minister in the real Parliament and that becoming one in a mock Parliament might at least bring some happiness to his mother, Sonia Gandhi.
The mock Parliament exercise was organised by Opposition leaders as part of their protest against the Election Commission and its handling of electoral rolls. The event also included symbolic impeachment proceedings against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Shah Challenges Rahul Gandhi Over Electoral Issues
During his address, Shah also challenged Rahul Gandhi to participate in a special session of Parliament to discuss issues concerning Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), SIR and alleged irregularities in voter lists.
He accused the Congress leader of repeatedly raising questions about the electoral process while avoiding parliamentary discussions on the subject.
Shah also questioned the Congress party’s criticism of EVMs, pointing to its electoral victories in several states. He argued that the party should acknowledge the results when it wins elections rather than questioning the voting process after defeats.
INDIA Bloc Rally Draws BJP’s Criticism
Shah also criticised the INDIA bloc’s November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi, which was organised to raise concerns about alleged vote manipulation and voter deletions.
While Opposition leaders described the gathering as a campaign to protect voting rights and democracy, Shah termed it a “Save the Infiltrators” rally.
He alleged that the Congress and its allies were opposing the SIR exercise to protect illegal immigrants whose names, according to him, should not remain on electoral rolls.
These allegations formed a major part of the BJP’s political response to the Opposition’s campaign.
BJP Organises ‘Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao’ Padayatra
Before addressing the gathering, Amit Shah led the BJP’s ‘Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao’ (Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy) Maha Padayatra in Hyderabad.
The march began near the Dr Babu Jagjivan Ram statue in Basheerbagh and proceeded towards Moazzam Jahi Market. Several senior BJP leaders and party workers participated in the event.
The campaign was organised as a counter to the INDIA bloc’s protests against the Election Commission and the SIR process.
Shah Targets Telangana Government
The Home Minister also criticised the Congress government led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy in Telangana.
He accused the state government of using Telangana’s resources to support the Congress leadership at the national level and raised questions about the implementation of the party’s election promises.
Shah also referred to allegations concerning corruption and the so-called ‘RR Tax’, which the BJP has used in its criticism of the Telangana government.
Political Tensions Intensify Over SIR
The exchange between Amit Shah and Rahul Gandhi comes amid growing political disagreements over electoral reforms, voter registration and the functioning of constitutional institutions.
While the BJP has defended the SIR exercise as necessary to maintain accurate electoral rolls, the Opposition has raised concerns about potential voter exclusions and alleged irregularities.
Shah’s latest remarks have added another chapter to the ongoing political confrontation between the ruling BJP and the Congress-led Opposition, with both sides continuing to challenge each other’s positions on electoral transparency and democratic accountability.
