Congress unveils giant tongue replica to target CM Rekha

In a symbolic political protest, the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) on Thursday displayed a 100-metre-long replica of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s tongue at the All India Congress Committee headquarters, accusing the BJP government of lies, hollow promises and hypocrisy.

The display, featuring a life-size cutout of the Chief Minister alongside the massive tongue, was unveiled by DPCC president Devendra Yadav. A video compilation highlighting Gupta’s silence on key poll promises was also screened. According to the Congress, the Chief Minister did not respond to questions about her election pledges, including Rs 2,500 monthly assistance for women, free LPG cylinders on Holi and Diwali, cleaning the Yamuna river, pollution control, public transport shortages, broken roads, ration cards and pensions for senior citizens.

Senior Congress leaders, including former state president Anil Kumar, Delhi in-charge Qazi Nizamuddin, AICC secretaries Danish Abrar and Abhishek Dutt and former Delhi minister Harun Yusuf, were present.

Referring to controversial statements attributed to the Chief Minister, such as “Delhi’s AQI – IQ of Delhi,” “We felt bad that we hacked the EVMs,” and “I’ll put my thumb impression on any file you ask,” Yadav said they portrayed Gupta as an irresponsible and insensitive leader.

“A government that misleads the public before elections does nothing to resolve people’s problems afterward,” he said.

Taking a dig at Gupta’s claim that ministers regularly visit Delhi’s garbage mountains and tell them to go away, Yadav urged party workers to follow her advice:

“All workers should go to their streets and tell the garbage that it must be cleaned, tell the pollution it must be removed, tell the broken roads that they must be repaired,” he said.

He also alleged that the Delhi government repeatedly revoked Congress’ permissions for public programmes out of fear of losing power.

Yadav held both the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party responsible for Delhi’s deteriorating environment and civic conditions.

“Women trusted the BJP on the promise of Rs 2,500 monthly assistance and cheap gas cylinders, but nothing has been fulfilled. Meanwhile, AAP is equally responsible for poisonous pollution, mountains of garbage, a collapsing transport system and broken roads,” he said.

Delhi in-charge Qazi Nizamuddin said the Chief Minister’s rhetoric was long on speeches and short on governance.

“Rekha Gupta is trying to hide failures rather than serve the public. Her government is not serious about resolving Delhi’s problems, and the public’s suffering increases daily,” he said.

Nizamuddin also urged voters in the upcoming corporation by-polls to support Congress candidates, saying victory in 12 wards would send a message that Delhi is tired of both BJP and AAP.