‘Has Time To Visit Malaysia…’: BJP Reacts To Rahul Gandhi Skipping VP Radhakrishnan’s Oath

Last Updated:September 12, 2025, 13:19 IST

BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari, in a sharp post on X, alleged that Gandhi had “boycotted” the event and opposed the idea of the Indian State

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi | File Image

The BJP on Thursday hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for being absent from the swearing-in ceremony of CP Radhakrishnan as India’s 15th Vice President, accusing him of having time to spend a holiday abroad.

BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari, in a sharp post on X, alleged that Gandhi had “boycotted” the event and opposed the idea of the Indian State.

“Rahul Gandhi hates the Indian Constitution! Rahul Gandhi hates Indian democracy! Few days ago, he skipped Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort, and today he is absent from the Vice President’s oath ceremony. Can a man who disregards such constitutional occasions be fit for public life?” he wrote.

Bhandari further claimed that Gandhi had time to go on holiday abroad but not to attend official functions, calling him “dangerous for Indian democracy.”

Defending Gandhi, Congress leader Udit Raj said there was no protocol requiring the Leader of the Opposition to attend every official function.

“The Congress chief represented the party. The BJP is the one subverting the Constitution, while Rahul Gandhi is fighting to protect it,” Raj said.

NDA ally Shiv Sena also criticised the Opposition’s absence, with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde saying that political rivalry should not overshadow constitutional ceremonies.

While Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was present at the ceremony, Gandhi skipped it reportedly because he was travelling to Gujarat for a party event.

India’s 15th VP

President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to Radhakrishnan, who defeated the opposition-backed candidate, B. Sudershan Reddy, by 152 votes earlier this week.

Radhakrishnan, who previously served as Maharashtra Governor, will hold the office until September 11, 2030.

His predecessor, Jagdeep Dhankhar, who resigned citing health reasons, attended the ceremony today.

Notably, most Opposition leaders had also stayed away from Dhankhar’s swearing-in in 2022.

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