V Somanna Criticises Rahul Gandhi Over Remarks on Amit Shah Photograph

Speaking to reporters in Mysuru on Monday, Union Minister of State for Railways V Somanna launched a sharp attack against Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, asserting that he lacks the moral standing to criticise Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Somanna was responding to questions regarding Gandhi's recent statements objecting to a photograph of Amit Shah displayed inside a police station in Delhi. Defending the presence of the Home Minister's portrait, Somanna questioned whose picture should be displayed if not that of the Union Home Minister holding office.

Somanna questioned historical practices under previous administrations, asking whether photographs of Gandhi's great-grandfather, grandmother, and father were not displayed in public offices in the past. He credited Amit Shah with taking decisive action to crush Naxalism across the country and maintained that Gandhi does not possess the morality to criticise the Union Home Minister.

The Union Minister further remarked that Gandhi does not understand the nation's culture, history, or legal framework. He commented that someone who spends 15 days in India and another 15 days abroad does not understand Indian law, adding that the Congress leader was unfit to be in the country.

Targeting the opposition party, Somanna stated that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government over the past 12 years has been cleaning up issues created by the Congress during its seven decades of rule, adding that the opposition should demonstrate gratitude rather than hypocrisy.

During the interaction, Somanna also addressed the political situation in Karnataka, commenting on the internal dynamics within the state Congress leadership. Referring to recent statements by Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar regarding governance in the state, Somanna said the public should wait for two months to see the results, adding that constructive work would be appreciated while erroneous paths would continue to face criticism.