Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s recent remarks at the Annual Legal Conclave 2025 have sparked a political storm, drawing a strong response from the BJP and Rohan Jaitley, son of the late Union Minister Arun Jaitley. Mr Gandhi alleged that the former finance minister had been sent to threaten him during his opposition to the contentious farm laws.
The three farm laws—aimed at deregulating government-run wholesale markets—were introduced in 2020 and subsequently repealed after sustained protests by farmers. However, Arun Jaitley passed away in August 2019, well before the laws were brought forward—a fact highlighted by his son.
Speaking at the conclave, Rahul Gandhi stated:
“I remember when I was fighting the farm laws, Arun Jaitley was sent to me to threaten me. He said, ‘If you carry on opposing the government, fighting the farm laws, we will have to act against you.’ I looked at him and said ‘I don’t think you have an idea who you are talking to.'”
Rohan Jaitley, currently president of the Delhi and District Cricket Association, responded sharply in an online post, calling Mr Gandhi’s comments not only inaccurate but disrespectful to the memory of his late father.
“Rahul Gandhi now claims my late father, Arun Jaitley, threatened him over the farm laws. Let me remind him, my father passed away in 2019. The farm laws were introduced in 2020. More importantly, it was not in my father’s nature to threaten anyone over an opposing view. He was a staunch democrat and always believed in building consensus. If at all such a situation were to occur, as it often does in politics, he would invite free and open discussions to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution for all. That was simply who he was, and that remains his legacy today.”
He further urged Mr Gandhi to speak responsibly when referring to leaders who are no longer alive:
“He attempted something similar with Manohar Parrikar ji, politicising his final days which was in equally poor taste. Let the departed Rest in Peace.”
The BJP also dismissed Gandhi’s remarks, calling them “fake news.” Party IT cell head Amit Malviya posted a detailed timeline on X to discredit the claim:
“Fake News Alert. Rahul Gandhi claims that Shri Arun Jaitley approached him to water down his opposition to 2020 Farm Laws. Let’s set the record straight: Arun Jaitley ji passed away on 24 August 2019. The draft Farm Bills were brought to the Union Cabinet on 3 June 2020. The laws were enacted in September 2020.”
He also accused the Congress leader of “rewriting timelines” and urged him to stick to facts.
