Rahul Gandhi has strongly criticised three new bills that propose the removal of senior government officials, including the Prime Minister and state Chief Ministers, if they are jailed for 30 consecutive days on serious criminal charges—even without a conviction.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, the Congress leader called the bills “draconian” and “unconstitutional,” accusing the BJP of plotting to topple opposition-led governments by filing fabricated cases and jailing rival leaders for a month to force their resignation.

“We are going back to medieval times when a king could remove anyone at will. If the Prime Minister dislikes someone, the Enforcement Directorate is used to file a case, and within 30 days, an elected leader is gone,” Rahul Gandhi said.

The bills, presented by Union Home Minister Amit Shah amid protests and paper missiles from opposition MPs, have been referred to a joint parliamentary committee for review.

Rahul Gandhi also raised questions about the sudden resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, hinting at political pressure behind his decision. “There is a big story about why he resigned and why he is silent now,” he remarked.

Dressed in a black t-shirt as a mark of protest, Gandhi described the move as part of a “war” between those attacking the Constitution and those defending it.

Other opposition leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, echoed his concerns, warning the BJP could misuse the law to target opposition leaders. “Tomorrow, you can file any case against a chief minister, arrest him for 30 days, and he ceases to be CM,” Priyanka said. Singhvi alleged the law would spare ruling party leaders while targeting opposition figures.

Critics have drawn parallels with the arrest of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was jailed for over five months without trial on corruption charges linked to an alleged liquor policy scam.