NEW DELHI: A massive political storm has erupted after the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, urged Congress workers to brand Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as “traitors.”
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a fierce counterattack, alleging that the Congress MP’s rhetoric mirrors the language used by adversarial nations and cross-border terrorist organizations.
The Controversial Speech in Rae Bareli
Addressing party workers in his parliamentary constituency of Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday, Rahul Gandhi launched an aggressive attack on the top leadership of the ruling dispensation:
“When these RSS workers come to you… look them in the face and say, ‘Your Prime Minister is a traitor, your home minister is a traitor, your organisation is a traitor. You have worked to sell out India. You have attacked our organisation, our Constitution, BR Ambedkar, and Mahatma Gandhi.'”
‘Melody’ Diplomacy Sparks Social Media Row
Following his speech, Gandhi took to X (formerly Twitter) to criticize the Prime Minister over a viral video from Italy, which showed PM Modi gifting a pack of Melody candies to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni—a playful nod to the viral internet moniker “Melodi.”
Gandhi claimed that the PM was busy “making reels” and “handing out candies” while the country faced an economic storm, calling the governance a “farce.”
BJP Unites in Condemnation
Senior BJP leaders and Union Ministers lined up to condemn the LoP’s remarks, demanding an immediate public apology and accusing him of trying to destabilize the Indian state.
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Union Minister Giriraj Singh: Stated that Gandhi’s language has become identical to that of an “enemy nation.” He asserted that the youth and the citizens of India stand firmly with the Prime Minister and Home Minister, dismissing Gandhi’s economic critiques.
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UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath: Termed the remarks “utterly reprehensible” and an insult to the mandate of 145 crore citizens. He noted that the statement reflected the Congress “Yuvraj’s” deep frustration and total lack of respect for democratic values.
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BJP Spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari: Charged that Gandhi was effectively calling all Indian voters traitors. He alleged that such statements prove Gandhi acts not as a political opponent, but as someone actively fighting the Indian state.
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Senior BJP Leader Anurag Thakur: Defended the historical legacy of the RSS, stating the organization has always stepped up during national crises, such as the 1965 war and the Emergency. He countered that the Congress party was the one that actually subverted the Constitution by imposing the Emergency in 1975.
