Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Friday completed two years as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, marking the occasion with a message reaffirming his commitment to fight for people both inside Parliament and on the streets.
Gandhi assumed the post in June 2024 after the Congress formally informed the Pro tem Speaker of its decision during the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha. His appointment came a day after the INDIA bloc unanimously backed his candidature. It also marked the first constitutional or statutory position he has held since entering active politics in 2004.
To mark the milestone, Rahul Gandhi shared a video on X along with a newsletter reflecting on his journey as Leader of the Opposition.
“Every single day of these two years has been dedicated to one task, to carry the voice of every Indian to the corridors of power,” Gandhi said.
The video featured highlights from his tenure, including speeches in Parliament, 297 public visits across the country, references to three policy reversals, and his pledge to continue fulfilling his responsibilities.
“Whether it’s the fight for NEET aspirants, exposing electoral fraud, or defending the Constitution, I have stood with you on every front. I stand with you today, and I always will,” Gandhi wrote while sharing the video.
He added that the support of the people remained his greatest source of strength.
“From the streets to Parliament, your trust is my greatest strength. The journey is long, but my resolve remains the same. I will keep fighting every battle for you,” he said.
Rahul Gandhi highlights education campaign
In the accompanying newsletter, Gandhi focused on the nationwide student campaign launched from Kota in Rajasthan, describing it as an effort to address the challenges facing India’s education system and protect the future of young people.
He stressed that the initiative was not politically motivated and pointed to issues such as limited employment opportunities, intense competition, mounting academic pressure and the financial burden on families. According to Gandhi, parents collectively spend nearly ₹1.3 lakh crore on NEET coaching, an amount he said was equivalent to the Union government’s annual education budget.
The newsletter recalled his statement made while assuming office, where he had said that the role of the Leader of the Opposition was to amplify the voice of the people and safeguard the Constitution.
According to the publication, Gandhi has spent the past two years advocating for democracy, social justice, economic opportunities and India’s national interests. It also highlighted his campaign for a caste census, his allegations regarding “vote theft”, and his support for students, farmers, workers and Bahujan communities.
The newsletter further stated that Gandhi would continue promoting what he described as the “politics of love” while defending the Constitution during the remainder of his tenure.
Four commitments outlined
Rahul Gandhi also listed four key commitments in the newsletter: fighting for social justice, exposing what he called “vote theft”, listening to the people, and standing with India.
Towards the conclusion, the newsletter revisited one of Gandhi’s speeches in Parliament, where he accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of compromising India’s interests in a trade agreement with the United States, claiming it had weakened the country’s energy security and hurt farmers.
The publication also warned that India was heading towards an economic crisis while alleging that the government remained unprepared. It criticised the Prime Minister for prioritising publicity over addressing the concerns of ordinary citizens.
