Gurugram: Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi made a striking political statement during the ‘Sadbhav Yatra’ in Haryana’s Gurugram, saying the famous slogan “Nafrat ke bazaar mein mohabbat ki dukaan” did not belong to him or the Congress party, but had emerged directly from the people. The remark quickly became the biggest talking point of the rally.
Addressing party workers and supporters during the march led by former MP Brijendra Singh, Rahul Gandhi said the slogan reflected the mood of the country amid what he described as a growing atmosphere of hatred and division. He recalled his Bharat Jodo Yatra and said the phrase had spontaneously come from ordinary citizens who joined the march across India.
The Congress leader also launched a sharp attack on the BJP, alleging that the ruling party had created a “system to steal elections.” Rahul Gandhi claimed voter lists were manipulated in several states, including Haryana, Maharashtra, Assam and West Bengal, and accused institutions like the Election Commission and bureaucracy of working under political pressure.
He further targeted the Narendra Modi government over unemployment and economic policies. Rahul Gandhi alleged that while Indian youth continued to struggle for jobs, the country’s wealth and infrastructure were being handed over to a few industrialists. He also criticised the recent India-US trade deal, claiming it would harm Indian farmers by opening agricultural markets to American products.
The ‘Sadbhav Yatra’ in Haryana has been led by Congress leader Brijendra Singh and is widely seen as an attempt to revive the party’s grassroots connect in the state ahead of future elections. Rahul Gandhi walked with party leaders and supporters from Khandsa Chowk to SD School in Gurugram before addressing the public gathering.
The speech comes at a politically sensitive time for the Congress, with the party trying to rebuild momentum after recent Assembly election setbacks in several states. Rahul Gandhi’s repeated emphasis on “love versus hate” politics is expected to remain central to the Congress campaign narrative in the coming months.