NDA Leaders Slam Rahul Gandhi Over Prayagraj Event, Allege ‘Double Standards’ on Youth Issues

August 9, 2026

New Delhi: Leaders of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Sunday criticised Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over his ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ event in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, accusing him of having “double standards” on students’ issues and “misleading” the youth.

The remarks came a day after Gandhi held the programme at KP Ground in Prayagraj, where he raised concerns over unemployment and alleged that only a small proportion of young people are able to secure permanent employment.

JD-U, BJP Leaders Target Rahul Gandhi

JD-U national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad questioned the Congress’ response to student protests over alleged examination irregularities in Jharkhand and Punjab.

“There has been an agitation by the students of Jharkhand for around 16 days, and Rahul Gandhi has still not reached Ranchi. Despite the students peacefully staging the agitation without any provocation, Rahul ji doesn’t go there and is instead seen in Uttar Pradesh, apart from being active with the protests in Delhi. So, the students will seek answers for that too,” he said.

BJP national spokesperson Guru Prakash challenged Rahul Gandhi to compare the average unemployment rate during the 10 years of the UPA regime with that under the NDA, saying that such a comparison would make the “truth” clear.

He also pointed to government initiatives such as ‘Mudra’ and ‘Start-up’, saying they were helping young people move towards self-employment and self-reliance.

NDA Leaders Accuse Rahul of Misleading Youth

Bihar Minister and BJP leader Ram Kripal Yadav also attacked Gandhi over his claims that the system had reduced military employment opportunities, captured universities and targeted students.

“Rahul Gandhi is misleading the youth. Everyone knows that the Congress ruled the Centre and the states for nearly 60 years after Independence. If the youth are misguided today or the country is facing issues such as unemployment, the Congress party, Rahul Gandhi and his family are responsible for them,” Yadav said.

Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC said Gandhi’s voice was “hardly being heard” and accused him of lacking a vision, plan and agenda for addressing students’ concerns.

She said merely making statements and spreading what she described as “false narratives” would not resolve problems faced by students. She also said the Central government had taken note of issues arising after the NEET examination and addressed them.

RJD’s Manoj Jha Defends Rahul Gandhi

Meanwhile, RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha came out in support of Rahul Gandhi and hit back at the BJP’s criticism.

“If Rahul Gandhi says it, the BJP IT cell immediately starts jumping in. Look at the employment rate, and especially the rate of unemployment among educated people. Even if I set aside the unskilled workforce for a moment, isn’t this a cause for concern?” Jha said.

He argued that a large section of India’s young population faces uncertainty about its future.

“We have developed this unjust architecture. A very large section of it consists of young people who see their future as being uncertain and bleak,” Jha said.

The exchange comes amid a wider political debate over unemployment, examination-related concerns and opportunities for India’s youth, with the Opposition and the ruling alliance taking contrasting positions on the government’s record and the challenges facing young people.