The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday strongly criticised Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, accusing him of displaying “political immaturity” and “mental bankruptcy”.
The sharp exchange came after Gandhi, while addressing a programme in his Lok Sabha constituency Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh, alleged that Modi, Shah and the RSS were “attacking the Constitution” daily and had “sold the country’s interests” to select industrialists. He also termed them “traitors”, triggering strong reactions from BJP leaders.
Reacting to the statement, Uttar Pradesh BJP leader Neeraj Singh, son of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, said Gandhi’s language reflected desperation within the Congress party.
“To use such language against the prime minister and home minister smacks of not just political immaturity but mental bankruptcy too,” Singh told PTI.
“I think the Congress leadership today is exposed, rattled and very desperate. This is reflecting in their language too, and if they have any sense left in them, they should immediately tender an unconditional apology,” he added.
Singh further said he would not be surprised if courts took suo motu cognisance of such statements.
The Congress, however, defended Gandhi and accused the BJP of trying to divert attention from pressing governance issues.
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Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai said Gandhi’s remarks reflected growing public concern over unemployment, inflation and farmer distress.
“Isn't it true that the country's interests have been hit, that the nation has suffered immensely over the last few years since Modi's BJP has been in power at the Centre?” Rai asked.
He alleged that the BJP was attempting to sidetrack public discourse away from “rising unemployment, farmer unrest and a sharp rise in prices of essential commodities”.
BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi also criticised Gandhi, saying his remarks reflected the Congress party’s weakened political condition.
“His words and body language indicate what poor condition the Congress party is in. He is a habitual offender with multiple court cases against him,” Tripathi said.
“The country will never tolerate that its leader of opposition uses such language. Rahul Gandhi and the entire Congress will have to face its repercussions,” he added.
The latest political confrontation adds to the continuing war of words between the BJP and Congress ahead of key electoral contests, with both parties increasingly sharpening attacks over governance, constitutional institutions and economic issues.
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