Taking a sharp dig at the Congress leadership, Dr Trivedi contrasted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rise with that of Rahul Gandhi. He described Modi as a “guddri ke lal” a diamond who rose from humble beginnings while portraying Rahul Gandhi as a dynastic leader disconnected from grassroots politics.
“Narendra Modi rose step by step from the bottom, strengthening the party as he progressed. Rahul Gandhi, despite his lineage, is turning his party upside down,” Trivedi remarked, intensifying the BJP’s attack on the Congress leadership.
Digvijay Singh’s Post Sparks Political Row
The controversy erupted after Digvijay Singh shared an old photograph of Prime Minister Modi on social media platform X, praising how a grassroots worker rose to become chief minister and prime minister through organisational discipline.
Although Singh later clarified that he was referring only to organisational structure and not endorsing BJP or RSS ideology, the BJP seized upon his initial remarks as evidence of ideological confusion and leadership failure within the Congress.
BJP Leaders Amplify Claims of Congress Infighting
BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari also weighed in, stating on X that Singh’s comments demonstrated “Congress versus Congress” in public view. According to him, the remarks underscored the collapse of the Congress organisation under Rahul Gandhi.
The BJP argued that senior Congress leaders acknowledging BJP’s organisational strength reflects frustration with their own party’s inability to mobilise cadres effectively.
Obama Reference Rekindles Leadership Debate
Dr Trivedi further escalated his criticism by referring to observations made by former US President Barack Obama regarding Rahul Gandhi’s political seriousness, as mentioned in Obama’s memoir.
Questioning Gandhi’s international engagements, Trivedi expressed surprise over his invitations to elite US universities despite such assessments. He said these engagements raised questions about the credibility and seriousness of Gandhi’s leadership.
Congress Yet to Issue Official Response
At the time of publication, the Congress had not issued a formal response to the BJP’s allegations. However, party leaders have previously dismissed similar attacks as politically motivated attempts to divert attention from governance issues.
The episode has once again brought Congress’s leadership structure and organisational challenges into sharp focus ahead of crucial electoral battles.