'Students need break, Rahul is on one': BJP attacks oppn leader over cancelled rallies

NEW DELHI: The BJP on Friday attacked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the cancellation of his scheduled student outreach programmes, alleging he was "vacationing abroad" and accusing him of exploiting students for political purposes. BJP national spokesperson Tuhin Sinha questioned Gandhi's whereabouts, claiming he had been absent from public events for nearly two weeks and that three of his student rallies had been cancelled. He said Gandhi's last verified public appearance was on June 19. "It is absolutely shocking that Rahul Gandhi has cancelled three of his scheduled student rallies because he seems to be completely immersed in vacationing. He appears to be focused on his holidays," Sinha told PTI. "Normally, students need a break because they are exhausted from preparing for examinations. Here, students may not be vacationing as much, but Rahul Gandhi, who has exploited students for his politics, has gone on a long break, leading to the cancellation of three student rallies," he said. Calling Gandhi a "non-serious politician," Sinha said he was "least bothered about students" and had only been using them for "mala fide" politics. "This once again shows, first, that Rahul Gandhi is a non-serious politician, and second, that he is least bothered about students. He was only using students for political purposes, and his politics has mala fide intent written all over it," Sinha said. "How shameful that Rahul Gandhi can't get over his holidaying spree... It just shows him once again as a non-serious politician, besides proving that he was merely exploiting student sentiments for his vulture politics. Students must beware of such fly-by-night operators," he said in a post on X. The attack comes as the Congress party has been attempting to position Gandhi as a youth-friendly leader ahead of the 2029 elections. His cancellation of student engagements has given the BJP an opening to question his commitment to the cause. There was no immediate reaction from the Congress to the BJP's allegations.