Amit Shah says Rahul Gandhi creating ‘illusion’ with reels, 'lost judgment' after three poll defeats

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s increasing reliance on social media campaigns, describing them as “programme management” and an attempt to create “illusions” among the people. Shah contrasted the BJP’s approach of direct public interaction with the Congress’s strategy, saying there was a “big difference” between the two.

Speaking in an interview, Shah said, “There is a big difference between managing a program and communicating with the public. They (Congress) want to create a kind of illusion among the people. And they will definitely not succeed, because our direct interaction with the people is many times greater than theirs. We talk to the people. After losing three elections, I think the level of frustration is such that the normal sense of judgment, he (Rahul Gandhi) has lost it.”

Rahul Gandhi has recently intensified his social media presence, with a flood of reels highlighting his outreach programmes, criticism of government policies, and allegations of “vote theft.” The Congress’s official Instagram account has crossed 9.5 million followers, surpassing the BJP’s 8.3 million followers, reflecting a notable increase in the opposition leader’s online reach.

Shah also addressed concerns raised by opposition parties over the deployment of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) inside Parliament. He clarified that forces deployed within the security perimeter of the House function as Marshals under the authority of the Speaker. “Earlier, it used to be personnel from the Delhi Police; now it is CISF. But the moment they come within the security perimeter of the House, they are regarded as Marshals. And they function under the Speaker’s authority. Marshals enter the House only when the Speaker orders them to do so,” he said.

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi’s ongoing ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ in Bihar has witnessed significant public participation. On Sunday in Purnea district, Gandhi was suddenly hugged and kissed on the shoulder by an unidentified man before continuing his journey to Araria on a motorcycle, accompanied by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and hundreds of supporters riding alongside.