In a sharp political exchange, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday launched a counterattack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of "seeking refuge in lies" during a heated session in the Rajya Sabha. The confrontation unfolded after PM Modi's address, with Gandhi taking to social media platform X to voice his criticism.
Political Clash Escalates in Parliament
Rahul Gandhi's response came swiftly following Prime Minister Modi's much-anticipated speech in the Upper House. In his post on X, Gandhi wrote, "Just so much panic from a few questions? Modi ji, so scared of the truth, sought refuge in lies." He added, "Well, did what seemed right," underscoring his stance against the Prime Minister's remarks.
PM Modi's Speech and Opposition Reaction
During his nearly 100-minute address, PM Modi targeted the previous UPA regime, asserting that a significant portion of the NDA's decade-long tenure has been dedicated to "correcting the mistakes of the past." As he began speaking, opposition MPs raised loud slogans, including "Let the LoP speak" and "tanashashi nahi chalegi" (dictatorship will not be tolerated), leading to a walkout shortly after the speech commenced.
Accusations Against the Gandhi Family
In a pointed attack, PM Modi accused the Gandhi family of 'stealing' Mahatma Gandhi's surname, stating, "For some people, stealing is a family profession. What’s shocking is that those habitual thieves have also stolen surname of a Gujarati, Mahatma Gandhi." This remark added fuel to the ongoing political rivalry.
Startup Dig and Sikh Community Remarks
Further intensifying the debate, PM Modi took a dig at the Congress party and Rahul Gandhi, alleging they "cannot even lift their own startup." He claimed, "Congress never promoted startup culture… They cannot even lift the startup of their own house," referencing internal party dynamics.
Additionally, PM Modi criticized Rahul Gandhi for calling BJP MP Ravneet Singh Bittu a traitor, accusing him of insulting the Sikh community. In his reply to the Motion of Thanks to the President's address, Modi said, "What happened yesterday -- the 'Yuvraj' of Congress, who has a 'shaatir dimaag' called a member of this House a traitor. His arrogance is at its peak. He did not call others who left Congress traitors, but he said it to this MP because he is a Sikh."
Background of the Exchange
The tension stems from an incident on Wednesday, where Rahul Gandhi exchanged barbs with former party colleague and Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu on Parliament premises. In videos released by the Congress, Gandhi was heard labeling Bittu "a traitor," to which the minister retorted with a "desh ke dushman" (enemy of the nation) jibe, highlighting the deepening political divide.
This episode underscores the escalating rhetoric between India's major political parties, with both sides leveraging strong language and accusations in the run-up to key electoral battles. The Rajya Sabha session has become a focal point for these confrontations, reflecting broader national political dynamics.
