Congress spokesman likens Rahul Gandhi to Nobel laureate Machado
What's the story
Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput has drawn a parallel between Maria Corina Machado, the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize winner, and Rahul Gandhi. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Rajput compared Machado's fight for democratic rights in Venezuela with Gandhi's efforts to "save the Constitution" in India. He wrote in Hindi, "This time, the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to the opposition leader of Venezuela for defending the constitution."
Twitter Post
Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput's post on X
इस बार का नोबल शांति पुरस्कार वेनेजुएला की विपक्ष की नेता को मिला है संविधान की रक्षा करने के लिये।
— Surendra Rajput (@ssrajputINC) October 10, 2025
हिंदुस्तान 🇮🇳 के विपक्ष के नेता श्री राहुल गांधी देश के संविधान को बचाने की लड़ाई लड रहे है । pic.twitter.com/xcgfkJixlZ
Awarded efforts
Machado awarded for fight against dictatorship
The Norwegian Nobel Committee honored Machado for her "tireless work" toward democratic rights and a "peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy" in Venezuela. Despite facing threats, she has remained a unifying figure in the opposition against President Nicolas Maduro, who many say rigged the previous year's elections. In India, the Congress party has accused Gandhi of fighting against what they call the "dictatorship" of the current National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.
Political resistance
INDIA opposition unite to challenge NDA government
The opposition in India has united under the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) to challenge the BJP-led NDA government. The coalition says they have raised issues such as alleged electoral fraud, attempts to end reservations for backward classes, and rising unemployment. The opposition also claims that minority and SC/ST rights have been compromised under this government.
Democratic concerns
Opposition claims democratic values under threat in India
The opposition, led by Gandhi, has alleged that democracy and democratic values have perished under the NDA government. They claim dissenting voices have been suppressed and economic downturns have occurred during this time. The Congress party has long maintained that Gandhi is at the forefront of efforts to protect these democratic values in India.