'Part of Democracy': Congress' Pawan Khera Hits Back at Rajnath Singh for 'Regime Change' Remark

Congress leader Pawan Khera on Friday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of hypocrisy over its objections to calls for “regime change”, arguing that the Opposition’s aim was to defeat the ruling government through elections and bring about a change in the political system. 

Speaking at a press conference titled “Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai”, Khera responded to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s remarks accusing the Congress and its allies of seeking regime change in India along the lines of Bangladesh, where youth-led protests led to a change of government in 2024.

Khera said the Opposition had made no secret of its political objective, which was to defeat the BJP in elections and change the existing system through democratic means. “We are reiterating our objective… we have to defeat this government and change this system. So why has Rajnath Singh ji turned into Jagga Jasoos? Sherlock Holmes,” Khera said, mocking the defence minister for questioning the Opposition’s intentions.

Singh had alleged that the Congress and its allies were using youth-led protests against the Election Commission to create political unrest and push for regime change. Khera, however, argued that seeking to replace an elected government through elections was a legitimate democratic objective.

“Changing the regime through elections is precisely the Opposition’s goal, what else would our purpose be?” he said.

हमने एक अभियान चलाया है 'वोट चोर- गद्दी छोड़'। पूरा देश भी यह खुलकर बोल रहा है। हमें इस 'वोट चोर' सरकार को हराना है, सिस्टम को बदलना है। चुनाव के जरिए regime बदलना लोकतंत्र का हिस्सा है, लेकिन राजनाथ सिंह और BJP के नेता इससे नाराज हैं, क्योंकि इन्हें लोकतंत्र की आदत नहीं रही। सच्चाई ये है कि जब BJP को लोकतंत्र में सवाल झेलने होते हैं, तो यही लोकतंत्र उन्हें देशद्रोह लगने लगता है। : AICC मीडिया एवं पब्लिसिटी विभाग के अध्यक्ष @Pawankhera जी 📍 दिल्ली

— Congress (@INCIndia) October 16, 2026

The Congress leader also cited the change of government in 1977, when the Janata Party defeated the Congress in the general election following the Emergency, to argue that a change in government was a normal feature of democracy. He accused the BJP of having “lost the habit of practising democracy” and questioned why the party was treating the Opposition’s electoral ambitions as suspicious.

Khera Defends OCI Cardholders’ Right To Protest

Khera also defended the right to protest of people holding Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards, referring to the controversy surrounding actor Imran Khan’s alleged plans to organise a protest in India. “You praise the diaspora for celebrating Dandiya abroad but question Imran Khan’s right to protest in India because he’s an OCI,” Khera said.

He accused the BJP of adopting different standards towards members of the Indian diaspora depending on whether their activities supported or criticised the government. According to Khera, the party celebrated Indians living abroad when they promoted Indian culture and traditions but questioned their intentions when they raised objections to the government’s policies.

His remarks came amid the controversy over Imran Khan, the actor who holds an OCI card, and questions over his reported plans to hold a protest in India.

Prashant Bhushan, Neha Singh Rathore Also Cited

Khera also referred to the controversy surrounding activist and lawyer Prashant Bhushan’s remarks on regime change. He said Bhushan had been treated as a friend when he made similar demands in 2013 but was now being portrayed as an enemy.

The Congress leader questioned what he described as the changing political treatment of people who spoke about replacing the government or challenging the existing system. He suggested that individuals who made such demands were viewed differently depending on the political circumstances and whether their statements were seen as favourable to the ruling party.

Khera further criticised the labelling of government critics, including Bhojpuri singer Neha Singh Rathore, as “leftist”, “urban Naxal” or “feminist”. He argued that such labels diverted attention from the issues raised by critics and allowed the government to attack those questioning its policies rather than respond to their arguments.

Khera maintained that criticism of the government and calls for political change should be addressed through democratic debate rather than by questioning the motives of those raising them.