Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], November 14 (ANI): Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Saturday termed the Bharat Summit organised by the Telangana government in Hyderabad a 'complete failure', claiming that Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi leaving the event midway was proof of its failure.

In a video, Kumar strongly criticised Rahul Gandhi's remarks alleging that democracy in India had been destroyed in 2014, questioning the Congress leader's understanding of democracy and accusing his party of practising dynastic politics.

Questioning Gandhi over his criticism of democracy in India, the Union Minister said, 'Does democracy mean that one family should rule the country for decades? Is Rahul Gandhi's idea of democracy about keeping the entire party under the control of one family? Should we talk about the Congress party's authoritarian rule during the Emergency, when constitutional rights were crushed? Did Congress remember fascism when 3,000 Sikhs were massacred?'

He further accused Rahul Gandhi of insulting India before foreign representatives by raising domestic political issues at an international gathering, arguing that such matters should be discussed and resolved within the country.

Bandi Sanjay said that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi was working towards developing India and enhancing its standing globally, Rahul Gandhi was making statements that brought disrepute to the country.

Calling the Bharat Summit an 'anti-India summit', the Union Minister alleged that the event had become a platform for people opposing India to come together and obstruct the country's development. He also criticised the decision to hold the summit in Telangana, describing it as a land of patriots and freedom fighters, and urged the people of the state to reflect on the event.

He also questioned the Congress party's internal functioning, asking whether an ordinary party worker could become its president or take important decisions without the approval of the Gandhi family.

'First, bring democracy back into your party. Then talk about democracy in the country!' he said, accusing the Congress of questioning democratic institutions whenever election results did not favour it.

On Rahul Gandhi's allegations concerning the deletion of 14 crore votes, Bandi Sanjay said that removing the names of deceased persons, duplicate voters and those who had permanently migrated was necessary. He also raised the issue of alleged voter registrations of illegal immigrants and questioned whether such names should remain on electoral rolls.

The Union Minister further accused Rahul Gandhi of repeatedly changing his position on electronic voting machines (EVMs), ballot papers and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging that he blamed the Election Commission and democratic processes whenever the Congress lost elections.

Responding to Rahul Gandhi's allegations of large-scale expenditure in the 2014 elections, Bandi Sanjay challenged him to produce evidence before the Election Commission and approach the courts.

'If Rahul Gandhi is alleging that hundreds of crores of rupees were spent in the 2014 elections, he should have the courage to produce the evidence. He should submit the evidence to the Election Commission and approach the court to fight the issue legally,' he said.

He added that the Congress had lost elections because of the people's verdict and questioned why Rahul Gandhi was unwilling to accept the outcome.

Bandi Sanjay also targeted the Telangana government over its promises to tenant farmers, questioning why it had set up a stall for them at the Bharat Summit despite allegedly failing to fulfil its commitments over the past three years.

'If Rahul Gandhi is alleging that hundreds of crores of rupees were spent in the 2014 elections, he should have the courage to produce the evidence. He should submit the evidence to the Election Commission and approach the court to fight the issue legally. We will not remain silent if baseless allegations are made against us. The Congress party lost because of the people's verdict. Why are you so afraid to accept the people's decision?' he said. (ANI)