Opposition is to oppose, expose, depose: Congress Pranab reminder to Rajnath Singh

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Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addresses a press conference at the BJP headquarters in Lucknow on October 16, 2026. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak and party State President Pankaj Chaudhary are also present. | Photo Credit: ANI

The Congress on Friday (October 16, 2026) hit back at Union Minister Rajnath Singh for alleging that the party was seeking a regime change along the lines of Bangladesh, saying he needs to be reminded of what former President Pranab Mukherjee stated that the job of the Opposition in a democracy is to oppose, expose and depose.

Mr. Singh lashed out at the Congress and its allies over the protests in the national capital, accusing them of seeking a regime change along the lines of Bangladesh and using the energy of youth to spread "anarchy".

Addressing a press conference in Lucknow, Mr. Singh asserted that democracy does not give anyone the licence to create disorder or undermine the credibility of constitutional institutions.

Hitting back at Mr. Singh, Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said, "The Defence Minister needs to be reminded of what the former President Pranab Mukherjee, who was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2019 , would often say: the job of the Opposition in a democracy is to oppose, expose and depose."

In his remarks, the Defence Minister said that it appears that the Congress and its political allies, directly and through their supporting organisations, are trying to use the energy of the youth to fuel political confrontation and spread anarchy instead of channelling it towards constructive work and nation-building.

"The youth of the country are being made pawns in the politics of anarchy," he stated.

Mr. Singh alleged that the Congress and its allies want a change of government in India along the lines of Bangladesh.

politics / Indian National Congress / Bharatiya Janata Party / Uttar Pradesh / India

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