Defence Minister Rajnath Singh didn’t hold back when he responded to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s bold claim of possessing an “atom bomb of evidence” against the Election Commission of India. Speaking at a media event in Bihar, Singh challenged Gandhi to reveal this so-called explosive proof immediately, but with a sarcastic twist: “He should just ensure that he is himself out of harm’s way.”
The heated exchange comes as Bihar gears up for Assembly polls, which Singh framed as a critical juncture for the state. According to him, the choices are clear. One path, led by the NDA, promises progress. The other, under the INDIA bloc, risks dragging Bihar back into “lawlessness and caste strife.” Strong words, but Singh didn’t stop there.
He also took a jab at Gandhi’s past rhetoric, recalling how the Congress leader once threatened to shake Parliament with an earthquake but delivered little more than a “damp squib.” The dig was unmistakable, suggesting that Gandhi’s latest claims might be equally hollow.
Singh vehemently defended the Election Commission, calling it an institution of “unquestionable integrity.” He emphasized its efforts to ensure free and fair elections in Bihar, adding that Gandhi’s allegations were “frivolous” and unbecoming of an opposition leader. The Minister didn’t shy away from invoking history either, reminding Gandhi of the Congress party’s own controversial past, particularly the Emergency of 1975, which he described as an attempt to “murder democracy.”
The speech was packed with sharp political jabs and defiant rebuttals, setting the stage for a high-stakes electoral battle. Whether Gandhi’s “atom bomb of evidence” will materialize remains to be seen, but for now, the BJP is clearly not taking the challenge lying down.
As Bihar inches closer to polling day, the war of words is only getting fiercer. Singh’s remarks reflect the BJP’s strategy—defend institutional credibility while painting the opposition as unreliable. Meanwhile, Gandhi faces mounting pressure to back up his claims or risk another political setback. With both sides digging in, the political temperature in Bihar is rising fast.