New Delhi: Even before PM Modi returns from his five-nation tour, a war of words has already broken out between the BJP and the Opposition, in particular the Congress party.
Addressing a rally in Raebareli Wednesday afternoon, Rahul Gandhi urged supporters to call out the BJP and RSS, referred to Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah as traitors, while alleging that the two had “worked to sell India and weaken the Constitution”. This remark has led to sharp reactions from BJP leaders, who said Rahul’s statements indicated his “anarchic mindset”.
BJP president Nitin Nabin hit out, saying: “Rahul Gandhi’s statement today is deeply unfortunate and, in a way, reveals his anarchic mindset. I believe that in the context of Indian politics where propriety and social harmony are intertwined with the mutual respect accorded to one another, his statement is truly regrettable. I feel that his continuous electoral defeats and the ensuing frustration are now manifesting in his temperament and character; it is this very desperation and despondency that are driving him to make such statements today.”
Rahul also took a swipe at PM Modi over his viral ‘Melody’ moment with Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, where he gifted her a packet of Melody toffees in a video. He called the PM’s leadership a “farce” and accused him of being negligent while an “economic storm” raged across the country.
“An economic storm is raging over our heads, and our Prime Minister is busy handing out candies in Italy!” Rahul Gandhi posted on X.
“Farmers, youth, women, labourers, and small traders are all in tears—the PM is laughing and making reels, while the BJP folks are clapping along. This isn’t leadership, it’s a farce,” he added.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal responded to Rahul’s tweet: “Why does Rahul Gandhi hate India and everything made in India so much? India has today become the world’s Trusted Destination through Made in India and Local Goes Global, but the Congress sees a problem in every Indian achievement.”
“The global respect, investment, and trust that the country waited decades for, the same India is now earning under the leadership of Prime Minister Modiji, and that is what Rahul Gandhi cannot tolerate,” he added.
Other Congress leaders also attacked the PM’s recent tours, backing Rahul’s statements.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge posted on X citing economic indicators. “Modi-ji wants the public to enjoy the ‘melody’ of speeches while surviving the ‘misery’ of his government’s loot,” he said.
Kharge further accused the government of burdening citizens with rising prices, falling investments and a deepening jobs crisis.
“Every aspect of the economy is suffering, but Modi-ji continues his PR, lecturing citizens to shoulder the burden of this grave economic storm. The average debt per Indian has increased 11-fold, while the wealth of 229 tycoons, along with 26 newly added billionaires, has reportedly crossed Rs 97.50 lakh crore,” he said.
“Over 12 years, more than Rs 43 lakh crore has been extracted from citizens through brutal petrol taxes and central excise duties. Companies generated around Rs 12,400 crore within hours, while households are left suffocating under relentless price pressure. Unemployment surged to 15.2 percent in March 2026, a nine-month peak. 90 examination paper leaks in 10 years have shattered recruitment credibility and devastated the future of nearly 9 crore youth. Rupee has hit an all-time low of 96.90, practically on death-bed! India’s foreign exchange reserves have fallen by around $38 billion in two months since the West Asia conflict began,” he added.
Congress’s media department head, Pawan Khera also accused the PM of “toying” with the image of the prime minister’s office.
He said in a statement on X: “The Prime Minister of the country, the Prime Minister of India, what kind of antics are you indulging in? Meloni-Melody, what’s going on? There is an image of the country, of the office of the Prime Minister of the country—don’t toy with it. You are the representative of 1.4 billion people; the country is going through a crisis, and in such times, you must remain extremely serious.”
However, veteran politician and NCP chief Sharad Pawar backed the Prime Minister’s foreign visit, saying political differences should not come in the way of India’s prestige on the global stage amid criticism from opposition parties.
Speaking at an event Tuesday evening, Sharad Pawar said, “Prime Minister Modi is working to protect the country’s prestige outside India. We may have different political views, but when it comes to the nation’s honour, political differences should not be brought in.”
BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi also defended the PM’s five-nation tour while referring to the Opposition’s criticism as “spiteful”. He said the visit was a crucial diplomatic mission aimed at safeguarding India’s strategic interests—including energy security, defence, and technology partnerships—during a period of global uncertainty.
Italy marks the final stop of PM Modi’s five-nation diplomatic tour, which also included visits to Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
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