Opposition Mounts Aggressive Campaign Against PM Modi’s Alleged Misinformation Ahead of Assembly Polls.

Opposition Mounts Aggressive Campaign Against PM Modi’s Alleged Misinformation Ahead of Assembly Polls

Overview

As India gears up for crucial assembly elections, opposition leaders, led by Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, have intensified their efforts to counter what they claim is a deliberate misinformation campaign by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The opposition, under the INDIA bloc, convened a significant meeting on August 7, 2025, at Rahul Gandhi’s residence in New Delhi to strategize on key issues, including the Pahalgam terror attack and the controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in Bihar. These discussions aim to challenge the BJP’s narrative and address perceived electoral irregularities ahead of the polls.

Key Issues Addressed

1. Allegations of Misinformation by PM Modi

• Rahul Gandhi’s Accusations: Rahul Gandhi has accused PM Modi of orchestrating a misinformation campaign to shield the BJP from anti-incumbency sentiments. He claims Modi’s silence on critical issues, such as US President Donald Trump’s tariff threats and the ongoing Adani investigation, is tied to financial links involving Russian oil deals. Gandhi has labeled this as a failure of leadership, alleging that Modi’s “hands are tied” due to external pressures.
• Opposition’s Strategy: The INDIA bloc, comprising parties like Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and others, plans to highlight Modi’s alleged inaction in Parliament. They aim to expose what they call a “choreographed” electoral strategy to protect the BJP’s image. Congress MP Manickam Tagore submitted an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha to demand discussions on these issues, emphasizing the need for transparency.

2. Pahalgam Terror Attack

• Background: The April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, has become a focal point for the opposition. They have demanded a detailed parliamentary discussion, alleging intelligence failures and questioning the government’s response, particularly in light of Operation Sindoor, a military operation hailed by Home Minister Amit Shah as a symbol of India’s resolve.
• Opposition’s Demands: Leaders like Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav and Congress MP Mallu Ravi have urged PM Modi to address the nation on the attack, seeking clarity on whether it resulted from lapses in security. The opposition has also criticized Modi for avoiding parliamentary debates on the issue, with Rahul Gandhi challenging Modi to refute Trump’s claims of brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan post-attack.
• Government’s Response: The BJP, through leaders like Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, has stated that the government is ready to discuss the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor. A 16-hour parliamentary debate on Operation Sindoor is scheduled to begin on July 28, 2025, with PM Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expected to participate.

3. Bihar Voter List Revision (SIR)

• Controversy: The Election Commission of India (ECI) initiated a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, a first-of-its-kind exercise aimed at removing ineligible voters, such as deceased, migrated, or duplicate entries. The opposition, led by Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, has labeled this as “vote theft” and an “attack on democracy,” alleging that the ECI is colluding with the BJP to disenfranchise minority, Dalit, and opposition-leaning voters. Gandhi cited evidence from Bangalore Central Lok Sabha constituency, claiming over 11,000 duplicate voters and 40,000 fake addresses, and accused the ECI of attempting to destroy CCTV footage and voter lists.
• ECI’s Defense: The ECI has dismissed Gandhi’s allegations as “baseless” and “irresponsible,” asserting that the SIR is a transparent process to ensure fair elections. The ECI emphasized a one-month period (August 1 to September 1, 2025) for addressing voter list anomalies and assured the Supreme Court that no citizen’s rights would be unjustly revoked. The issue is under judicial review, with a hearing scheduled for August 12, 2025.
• Opposition Protests: INDIA bloc leaders, including Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, staged protests at Makar Dwar in Parliament on July 24, 2025, against the SIR, claiming it could disenfranchise over two crore voters. Tejashwi Yadav has called the exercise a “poll scam,” while Priyanka Gandhi criticized the government for stifling opposition voices in Parliament.

Political Context

• Assembly Polls: The Bihar Assembly elections, scheduled later in 2025, are a critical battleground. The opposition’s focus on the SIR reflects concerns that voter list revisions could tilt the electoral balance in favor of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The inclusion of seven new BJP ministers in Nitish Kumar’s cabinet and promises of free electricity for 1.67 crore families indicate heightened political maneuvering.
• INDIA Bloc’s Unity: Despite the AAP’s decision to contest Bihar polls independently, the INDIA bloc remains united for national issues. Leaders like Sanjay Singh (AAP) and Gaurav Gogoi (Congress) have emphasized the need for PM Modi to address Parliament on both the SIR and Trump’s ceasefire claims, signaling a coordinated opposition strategy.
• BJP’s Counter-Narrative: The BJP has accused the opposition, particularly Rahul Gandhi, of creating unnecessary disruptions. Leaders like Sanjay Jaiswal and Dharmendra Pradhan have dismissed Gandhi’s claims of being silenced, arguing that he failed to submit formal notices for discussions. The BJP has also highlighted the success of Operation Sindoor, with Amit Shah praising Modi’s leadership.

Public and Political Reactions

• On X: Posts on X reflect polarized sentiments. Some users, like @INCIndia, have amplified Rahul Gandhi’s challenge to Modi on the Pahalgam attack and voter fraud allegations, while others, like @htTweets, highlight Gandhi’s strong rhetoric, such as calling the ECI’s actions “treason.” BJP supporters have countered, accusing Gandhi of undermining democratic institutions.
• Parliamentary Deadlock: The monsoon session of Parliament has seen frequent adjournments due to opposition protests over the SIR, Pahalgam attack, and Operation Sindoor. Congress leaders argue that the government is deliberately disrupting discussions to avoid accountability, while the BJP claims the opposition is obstructing legislative business.

Implications

The opposition’s aggressive stance signals a high-stakes political battle ahead of the assembly polls. By framing the SIR as electoral fraud and the Pahalgam attack as a security lapse, the INDIA bloc aims to erode public trust in the BJP’s governance. However, the ECI’s defense and the government’s readiness to debate Operation Sindoor suggest a robust counter-strategy. The outcome of the August 12 Supreme Court hearing on the SIR and the parliamentary debate on Operation Sindoor will likely shape the narrative leading into the elections.

For further details, refer to sources like The Indian Express or India Today. If you need a deeper analysis of specific aspects or related X posts, let me know!