‘6 people at centre’: Why Rahul Gandhi cited Mahabharata’s ‘chakravyuha’ to attack BJP in Lok Sabha | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi on Monday cited Mahabharata‘s ‘chakravyuha’ to attack Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA government at the centre while discussing Union budget 2024 in Lok Sabha. The Congress leader used Chakravyuha‘s lotus analogy to target the government saying it has created an “atmosphere of fear” in the country.
“When I researched about the chakravyuha, I got to know that it is also known as ‘padmavyuha’ or ‘lotus’-vyuha (lotus formation).
“In 21st century, India is trapped in a new chakravyuha represented by lotus symbol that PM Modi wears on his chest,” Rahul said in Lok Sabha.
Citing Mahabharata’s chakravyuha that killed young warrior Abhimanyu on the battlefield, Rahul said there were six people at the centre of the trap — Dronacharya, Karna, Kripacharya, Kritavarma, Ashwathama, and Shakuni.
“Similarly, there are six people at the centre of chakravuya today — PM Modi, Amit Shah, Mohan Bhagwat, Ajit Doval, Ambani and Adani.”

The remark led to an uproar by the NDA MPs and an intervention from Speaker Om Birla. To which Rahul said, “If you want, I will remove the names of NSA Doval, Ambani and Adani from this list.”
The Congress leader, referring to his previous speech in the House, in which he accused the NDA government of spreading fear in the country, Rahul said, “In BJP, only one leader is allowed to dream to be the Prime Minister. If today, defence minister wants to be the PM, there’s a big problem, big fear.”
“Why are my friends in BJP are terrified, the ministers are terrified, the farmers are terrified, the workers, youngsters, why are they all terrified?” asked Rahul.
In response to his own question, Rahul said when he thought about the reason behind this, he came up with the chakravyuha analogy.
“They (NDA government) think that today’s people are Abhimanyu, but today’s people are Arjuna. They will break this chakravyuha,” he said.