‘Bhasmasur’: BJP Slams Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Toolkit Politics’ Amid Fuel Price Row
New Delhi, India – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday, accusing him of engaging in “toolkit politics” as a national debate over rising fuel prices intensified. Drawing a mythological parallel, BJP leaders likened Gandhi’s political strategy to the demon king Bhasmasur, warning that his own weapon of deception could ultimately consume him.
The remark came during a press briefing in the national capital, where party spokespersons sought to counter what they described as a “calculated misinformation campaign” by the opposition. The fuel price row—triggered by recent hikes in petrol and diesel rates across several states—has become a fresh flashpoint between the ruling party and the Congress.
The ‘Bhasmasur’ Allegation
Addressing reporters, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla stated, “Rahul Gandhi’s toolkit politics is reminiscent of the mythological Bhasmasur—a demon who obtained a boon to turn anyone into ashes by touching their head, only to be tricked into using the boon on himself. The Congress leader is so consumed by his anti-government rhetoric that he is now burning the very credibility of his own party.”
Poonawalla accused Gandhi of orchestrating a “systematic propaganda machine” using overseas-based agencies and unverified documents to manufacture controversies. “Whether it is the ‘toolkit’ allegations from past years or today’s fuel price theatrics, the Congress has no constructive agenda—only a blueprint to destabilize the country,” he added.
The term “toolkit” references a 2020 controversy when the BJP claimed that a document allegedly linked to the Congress outlined a strategy to defame the Indian government globally. The Congress has repeatedly denied the charge.
Fuel Price Row: Political Flashpoint
The immediate context for the BJP’s attack is the ongoing political slugfest over fuel prices. Petrol and diesel rates have remained elevated in many parts of India, and the opposition has seized on the issue to target the central government’s fiscal policies. Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, have accused the Modi administration of “profiteering” through high excise duties and failing to provide relief to common citizens.
During a recent public meeting in Madhya Pradesh, Gandhi questioned the government’s handling of inflation, stating, “The common man is paying Rs 100 for petrol, but the government is not ready to reduce its taxes. This is a tax on the poor.” The remark sparked a sharp rebuttal from the BJP, which highlighted that state-level value-added taxes (VAT) also contribute significantly to petrol prices.
Government Defense and Data
Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri countered the opposition’s claims by pointing to global crude oil price volatility and supply chain disruptions. “India’s fuel prices are among the most competitive in the world when adjusted for purchasing power. The Congress-led states, where VAT is the highest, are themselves responsible for inflated rates,” Puri said in a statement.
Official data shows that central excise duty on petrol and diesel has remained unchanged since May 2022, while several non-BJP states have increased local taxes in recent months. The government has also emphasized its focus on long-term energy security through expanded use of ethanol blends and electric vehicle adoption.
Opposition Response
Reacting to the BJP’s “Bhasmasur” jibe, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh dismissed the charge as “desperate deflection.” He said, “The BJP has no answer for rising fuel prices, unemployment, and rural distress. Instead of addressing people’s problems, they resort to mythological analogies and personal attacks. The real Bhasmasur is the Modi government’s failure to control inflation.”
Ramesh also reiterated the Congress’s demand for an immediate reduction in central excise duty, arguing that international crude prices have softened but retail rates have not dropped proportionately.
Conclusion
As the political battle over fuel prices escalates, the exchange between the BJP and Congress underscores the deepening polarization ahead of upcoming state elections. While the ruling party seeks to frame the opposition’s criticism as a pattern of “toolkit politics” rooted in foreign influence, the Congress continues to press the government on kitchen-table economic issues. With both sides entrenched, the fuel price row is likely to remain a central theme in India’s national political discourse for the foreseeable future.
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*Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bhasmasur-bjp-slams-rahul-gandhis-toolkit-politics-amid-fuel-price-row/articleshow/131306749.cms*