Union Minister and former Congress leader Ravneet Singh Bittu has stirred a political controversy by alleging a significant rift between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his sister, party MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Bittu claimed the discord stems from internal comparisons of their respective speeches delivered in Parliament.
The Allegation: A Sibling Rivalry Triggered by Parliament Performances
In an interview with NDTV on December 17, Bittu, who switched from the Congress to the Bharatiya Janata Party before the 2024 general elections, made a bold claim. He stated that Rahul Gandhi's departure for Germany during the recent Winter Session of Parliament was a direct result of him being upset. The trigger, according to Bittu, was the growing buzz within political circles comparing the impact and reception of his parliamentary speeches with those of his sister, Priyanka.
"The two Gandhis are fighting. I have come to know that people have compared the speeches of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi in the House. This has upset Rahul Gandhi, so he has fought with the family and the party and left," Bittu told the news channel. The Congress party has not officially responded to these claims as of now.
Priyanka Gandhi's Rising Parliament Profile and Internal Buzz
The context for these comparisons lies in Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's active and notable presence in the Lok Sabha since her election in 2024. Several instances have contributed to her growing prominence:
- Her speeches during debates on issues like the Vande Mataram and the VB-G RAM G Bill.
- A light-hearted exchange with Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari followed by a meeting about her constituency.
- Sharing a joke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the customary post-session tea hosted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
This visibility has sparked discussions within the Congress. Reports suggest that there are talks about Priyanka Gandhi, currently the only All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary without an assigned portfolio, being given a more substantial and prominent role within the party hierarchy.
Contradictions, Defenses, and the Larger Political Narrative
Contrary to Bittu's claims of friction, the public actions of the Gandhi siblings often show a united front. Before the Vande Mataram debate, Rahul Gandhi explicitly urged people to listen to Priyanka's speech. Priyanka, in turn, has consistently defended her brother against political attacks, including recently questioning the criticism of his Germany trip by pointing out Prime Minister Modi's frequent foreign travels.
Furthermore, comments from other Congress leaders have added fuel to the discourse about Priyanka's future role. On December 23, Congress MP from Saharanpur, Imran Masood, while defending her comments on Bangladesh, said she would prove to be a strong Prime Minister if given a chance, drawing a parallel to her grandmother, former PM Indira Gandhi. He later clarified his statement was being distorted.
Adding to this, Priyanka's husband, Robert Vadra, told PTI that she has a "bright future" in politics and in changing "what is required." He emphasized that she has learned from her family's political legacy.
Priyanka's Political Journey and the Road Ahead
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the MP from Wayanad, Kerala, formally entered active politics ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and was seen as a potential game-changer for the Congress. Despite the party's electoral setbacks in Uttar Pradesh under her charge in 2022 and nationally, she has emerged as a key face of opposition protests and women-centric politics. Her oratory and public connect have long drawn comparisons to Indira Gandhi.
The current episode, fueled by a BJP leader's allegations, highlights the ongoing scrutiny of the Congress's internal dynamics and leadership structure. While the party officially presents unity, the external narrative increasingly focuses on Priyanka Gandhi's evolving profile and the potential implications for the Congress's political strategy moving forward.
