Congress hits back at BJP’s criticism of Rahul Gandhi’s London trip, accusing the PMO of orchestrating a smear campaign
BJP’s “Disappearance” Jibe Sparks Political Firestorm
MO’s “Dirty Tricks” – The political temperature soared on June 24 after BJP’s IT cell chief Amit Malviya accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of embarking on yet another “secret foreign holiday.” In a post on X, Malviya questioned Gandhi’s frequent absences from India, asking, “What is so compelling that keeps him away from the country so often?” He further demanded that, as the Leader of the Opposition, Gandhi owed the public an explanation.
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The timing of the criticism was no coincidence. Gandhi had recently flown to London via Bahrain to attend the graduation ceremony of his niece, Miraya Vadra, the daughter of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Robert Vadra. However, BJP’s framing of the trip as a “disappearance” quickly turned the personal visit into a political flashpoint.
This isn’t the first time Gandhi’s foreign travels have drawn fire. Earlier this year, BJP leaders raised similar concerns over his visit to Vietnam, alleging he spent more time abroad than in his Rae Bareli constituency. The pattern of attacks suggests a broader strategy to question Gandhi’s commitment and transparency.
Congress Hits Back: “PMO Knows Nothing But Dirty Tricks”
Congress wasted no time in responding. Party spokesperson Pawan Khera launched a scathing counterattack, accusing the Prime Minister’s Office of orchestrating a smear campaign. “The PMO is, as usual, up to its dirty tricks. It knows nothing else,” Khera wrote on X, confirming that Gandhi’s trip was purely personal and that he would return shortly.
Congress leaders emphasized that Gandhi’s travel was not only legitimate but also publicly known. They accused the BJP of weaponizing personal events for political mileage and deflecting attention from pressing national issues. “This is not about accountability—it’s about harassment,” said a senior Congress MP, adding that the BJP’s obsession with Gandhi’s itinerary reflects its insecurity.
The party also pointed out that Gandhi had been active on social media, engaging with citizens and criticizing government policies, including the ‘Make in India’ initiative. His recent visit to Delhi’s Nehru Place electronics market, where he interacted with mobile repair technicians, was widely shared online and praised for its grassroots engagement.
A Familiar Script: Personal Attacks and Political Optics
The controversy over Gandhi’s London trip is emblematic of a larger trend in Indian politics where personal lives are routinely politicized, and optics often overshadow substance. While the BJP frames Gandhi’s travels as evasive and elitist, Congress portrays them as normal and unjustly scrutinized.
Analysts note that such controversies serve dual purposes: they keep the opposition on the defensive and shift public discourse away from governance issues. “It’s a classic distraction tactic,” said a political commentator. “Instead of debating inflation, unemployment, or foreign policy, we’re talking about a graduation ceremony.”
Meanwhile, Gandhi’s supporters argue that the BJP’s fixation on his movements only elevates his political relevance. “If he were truly irrelevant, they wouldn’t track his every flight,” quipped a Congress youth leader.
As the monsoon session of Parliament approaches, the episode is likely to fuel further acrimony between the two camps. Whether it will resonate with voters or fade into the background remains to be seen, but for now, the battle lines are drawn, and the war of words continues.
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