The BJP on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his remarks mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy.
The BJP accused Gandhi of using “uncultured and indecent” language and said his remarks lowered the dignity expected from the constitutional position of the Leader of Opposition.
Gandhi, while speaking at the Rachnatmak Congress National Convention, took a swipe at Modi’s approach to foreign policy, suggesting that it largely revolved around hugging foreign leaders. He also referred to the BJP-RSS as a “bunch of jokers” who, according to him, have no understanding of India.
Pralhad Joshi asks Rahul Gandhi to ‘grow up’
Union Education minister Pralhad Joshi hit back at Gandhi, questioning his conduct and accusing him of insulting the people of India by attacking the Prime Minister.
“Rahul Gandhi, when will you grow up? Running India requires mature leadership, not amateur dramatics. Calling a democratically elected government 'jokers and clowns' proves you are out of your depth,” Joshi said.
He also contrasted Modi’s political rise with Gandhi’s family background.
“The Prime Minister is an elected leader. Unlike Rahul Gandhi and his family, he did not ascend through a hierarchy, nor did he rise due to family lineage or dynastic politics. The words being used, the level to which one is stooping, reflect sheer stupidity and frustration on Rahul Gandhi's part. It is this frustration that drives him to use abusive language,” the minister stated.
Joshi further said that insulting the Prime Minister amounted to insulting the people of India.
BJP leaders step up attack
Union minister Giriraj Singh accused Gandhi of being “mentally frustrated” and advised Sonia Gandhi to “get him help”.
“Rahul Gandhi appears to be mentally frustrated. His conduct has crossed all limits of decency. If Sonia Gandhi does not intervene and ensure that he receives appropriate help, the situation could become serious,” the minister said.
BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj also criticised Gandhi’s remarks, saying they were inconsistent with the dignity of the Leader of Opposition.
“The kind of uncultured, obscene, and indecent language used by Rahul Gandhi against Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji is completely contrary to the dignity of a constitutional position like that of the Leader of the Opposition,” she said.
Swaraj said the country needed a “constructive opposition” rather than “cheap rhetoric for social media memes and reels”.
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar also condemned the remarks, calling them a “new low in public discourse”.
“Vulgar jokes targeting PM Narendra Modi ji and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, with Congress leaders laughing along, are deeply disgraceful. This is a new low in public discourse. Strongly condemn it,” he said in a post on X.